Kolkata, May 9, 2026
In a landmark political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first-ever government in West Bengal after ending the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal at a grand ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president J. P. Nadda, and several chief ministers from NDA-ruled states.
Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari and the members of his first cabinet.
Five Ministers Take Oath Alongside Adhikari
Along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, five ministers were inducted into the cabinet in the first phase. The BJP leadership said the cabinet was carefully structured to ensure representation for major social and regional communities across the state.
Dilip Ghosh
Veteran BJP leader Dilip Ghosh took oath as a cabinet minister representing the OBC community. The 61-year-old leader is a former BJP West Bengal state president and has also served as a full-time RSS pracharak.
Ghosh played a major role in expanding the BJP’s grassroots network in West Bengal after 2014 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Medinipur constituency.
A senior BJP leader at the event said:
“Dilip Ghosh has been one of the strongest organisational pillars of the BJP in Bengal. His inclusion reflects the party’s commitment to experienced leadership.”
Agnimitra Paul
Agnimitra Paul became the only woman minister in the new cabinet. The 51-year-old MLA from Asansol South has won the constituency twice and currently serves as BJP state vice-president.
She retained her seat by defeating the Trinamool Congress candidate with a margin of more than 40,000 votes.
Before entering politics, Agnimitra Paul was a well-known fashion designer based in Kolkata. Born into a middle-class family in Asansol, she holds degrees in Botany and Fashion Technology & Management.
Speaking after taking oath, Paul said:
“This is not just a personal milestone, but a moment of change for women and middle-class families who believed in the BJP’s vision for Bengal.”
Ashok Kirtania
Ashok Kirtania, MLA from Bangaon Uttar in North 24 Parganas district, was inducted into the cabinet as a representative of the influential Matua community.
Political observers believe his appointment is strategically important because the Matua community remains a key electoral force in the state.
Kshudiram Tudu
Tribal leader Kshudiram Tudu, who represents the Ranibandh constituency in Bankura district, also joined the ministry.
The 55-year-old leader is considered an influential tribal face of the BJP in western West Bengal.
A BJP spokesperson stated:
“The new cabinet reflects Bengal’s social diversity. Every major community has been given a voice.”
Nisith Pramanik
Forty-year-old Nisith Pramanik, one of BJP’s prominent young leaders in North Bengal, was also sworn in as minister.
Pramanik joined the BJP in 2019 after leaving the Trinamool Congress. He had previously served as Union Minister of State in the Narendra Modi government and was among the youngest ministers in the Union cabinet at the time.
He belongs to the Rajbanshi community, which has significant influence in North Bengal politics.
End of TMC Era
The BJP’s victory marks the end of the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee, which had ruled West Bengal since 2011.
Political analysts described the election result as one of the biggest shifts in Bengal politics in decades.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly described the moment as:
“A new chapter in the democratic history of Bengal.”
BJP leaders repeatedly referred to the government formation as a “historic moment” for the party in eastern India.
Administrative and Political Changes Begin
Following the change in government, signs of administrative realignment also began emerging in the state.
Kolkata Police reportedly unfollowed official X (formerly Twitter) accounts of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Soon after, the police account began following Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and the Union Home Ministry.
Observers described the move as symbolic of the broader political transition underway in West Bengal.
