Suvendu Adhikari is set to be sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on May 9, 2026, following a historic electoral victory that ended 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule under Mamata Banerjee. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member state assembly, a decisive mandate that paved the way for the party's first government in the state.
Unanimous Selection as Legislature Party Leader
Adhikari was formally elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah confirmed that the selection was unanimous, with all proposals from newly elected MLAs converging on Adhikari's name. No alternative nomination was presented. After his election, Adhikari met the Governor and staked a claim to form the government.
Swearing-In Ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin, and NDA chief ministers expected to attend. The event marks a major political transition in West Bengal.
Adhikari's Political Rise and Electoral Victories
Adhikari's leadership claim is anchored in his high-profile victories over Mamata Banerjee in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. In the 2026 elections, he defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by 15,105 votes, a seat long considered her political stronghold. He had earlier defeated her in Nandigram in 2021. These wins earned him a reputation as a "giant slayer" and established him as the BJP's strongest electoral asset in Bengal.
Once a key strategist for the TMC, Adhikari joined the BJP in 2020 and quickly emerged as its most prominent face in the state. His combination of organisational reach, insider knowledge of the TMC, and aggressive campaign style positioned him as the natural choice for the top post. His elevation is seen as both a political and ideological shift in Bengal's power structure.
Historic Mandate for BJP
The BJP described its victory as historic, ending 15 years of TMC rule and delivering a major setback to Mamata Banerjee. The party's sweeping mandate reflects a consolidation of anti-incumbency sentiment and Adhikari's ability to mobilise grassroots support. The swearing-in ceremony today will formalise the BJP's entry into governance in one of India's most politically significant states.
