kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, May 9: West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of the state after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first government in West Bengal. The oath of office was administered by Governor R. N. Ravi in a formal ceremony held amid tight security arrangements.

The Chief Minister, several key leaders also took oath as ministers in the new state cabinet, including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and others. The swearing-in ceremony marked a significant political shift in the state’s leadership structure and was held in the presence of senior national and regional BJP leaders.

The main event took place at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, where a massive public gathering was reported. The venue witnessed an overwhelming turnout of supporters and party workers from different parts of the state, creating a charged political atmosphere throughout the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the venue in the morning and was received amid heightened security arrangements. He addressed the gathering from a specially designed stage and paid floral tribute to Rabindranath Tagore, honouring the cultural icon on the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti celebrations. The stage and event setup incorporated symbolic cultural and religious motifs, including references to Kalighat Temple architecture, images of Goddess Kali and Goddess Durga, as well as visuals from Gangasagar sages, reflecting a blend of political and cultural themes.

The programme was attended by several prominent national leaders, including the BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Ministers J. P. Nadda, Smriti Irani and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other senior leaders. Leaders from allied parties and other states, including Chirag Paswan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and former Union Minister Praful Patel, were also present.

Cultural programmes formed part of the event, with Rabindra Sangeet being performed in tribute to Tagore on the occasion of his birth anniversary (25th Baishakh). The entire gathering was described as a high-profile political show of strength by the ruling alliance in the state.

The ceremony concluded amid slogans, celebrations, and continued large-scale public participation, marking what party leaders described as a “new chapter” in West Bengal’s political history.