Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister
BJP forms government in West Bengal for the first time after securing a decisive Assembly election victory.
Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, marking the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party has formed a government in the state.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor RN Ravi during a grand ceremony held at Brigade Parade Grounds. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, chief ministers from NDA ruled states, and senior BJP leaders.
The BJP secured a major victory in the Assembly elections by winning 207 seats in the 294 member House, bringing an end to the 15 year rule of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee.
Soon after his victory in the high profile Nandigram constituency against Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari made remarks that triggered controversy. Addressing supporters, he claimed that Hindu voters in Nandigram had supported him while Muslim voters had backed the TMC. He also alleged that Muslims were “highly radicalised” in their political support for the party and stated that he would work for the Hindus of Nandigram.
Adhikari also defeated Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by a margin of 15,105 votes. During his speech, he remarked that Muslims had voted for Mamata Banerjee, referring to her appearance in a hijab during public events.
Calling the defeat of the TMC his party’s main objective, Adhikari said the party lacked ideology and claimed it would collapse politically in a short period after losing power.