NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday bowed before the people of West Bengal with folded hands as the BJP celebrated the swearing-in of its first chief minister in the state at Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Ground.
Historic Ceremony Marks BJP's Breakthrough in Bengal
The swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari was attended by several senior NDA leaders and thousands of BJP supporters, as it marked a historic breakthrough for the saffron party in Bengal.
PM Modi waved at the cheering crowd from the stage before slowly kneeling down and bowing with folded hands as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Bengal. Adhikari and members of the new cabinet stood beside the Prime Minister during the moment.
BJP's Tribute to Bengal's Trust
Sharing a video of the moment on X, the BJP's official handle wrote, 'A countless salutations and heartfelt thanks from the soil of Bengal, from its people.' 'This scene is a tribute to that trust which Bengal has placed in the BJP and the leadership of PM Modi,' the party added.
PM Modi Seeks Blessings of 98-Year-Old Veteran
In another emotional moment during the event, PM Modi hugged and sought the blessings of 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar. The Prime Minister touched Sarkar's feet and exchanged pleasantries with the senior leader on stage. Sharing another video of the interaction, the BJP's official account said, 'This is how the BJP honours its senior karyakartas.'
PM Modi's Tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee
In a post on X, PM Modi said, 'Today, as the first ever BJP Government takes oath in West Bengal, it is natural for all of us to remember Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and his everlasting contribution to the nation and West Bengal in particular. No stone will be left unturned to fulfil his vision.'
'During the swearing in ceremony in Kolkata, had the opportunity to meet Shri Makhanlal Sarkar Ji. A devout nationalist, he worked with Dr. Mookerjee and was even arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while accompanying him. He dedicated his life to our Party, expanding its base across West Bengal, inspiring people from all walks of life to join the Party. We in the BJP are proud that we have such motivating figures who have worked among the people and strengthened our Party,' he added.
Makhanlal Sarkar: A Grassroots Legend
Sarkar, a resident of Siliguri, is regarded as one of the BJP's earliest grassroots leaders in West Bengal and had worked closely with Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the party's formative years. In 1952, he was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Mukherjee during a movement to hoist the Indian tricolour there.
Adhikari Takes Oath as First BJP CM
Adhikari took oath as Bengal's first BJP chief minister after the party secured 207 seats in the 2026 assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state. The TMC secured 80 seats.
Adhikari, who contested from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram, was sworn in first, followed by senior BJP leader and former state unit chief Dilip Ghosh, who was inducted into the cabinet. BJP MLAs Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik also took oath as ministers.
West Bengal also recorded one of its highest-ever voter turnouts, with polling crossing 92 per cent across the first two phases of the elections.
