LIVEWest Bengal CM oath ceremony LIVE: Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as West Bengal’s 9th Chief Minister

‘Endured a lot of oppression...’: Ashok Dinda enters Assembly as ruling party MLA for first time

Former cricketer-turned-politician Ashok Dinda on Saturday said he had “endured a lot of oppression over the last five years” as he entered the West Bengal Assembly as a member of the ruling party for the first time. Dinda’s remarks came amid the formation of the new BJP government in the state following the party’s historic victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Remaining Bengal ministers likely to take oath at Raj Bhavan on Monday

Remaining ministers of the BJP government are likely to take oath at Raj Bhavan next Monday, sources said. The first meeting of the new state cabinet is also expected to be held at the Assembly on the same day.

BJP’s Bengal victory will open new era of development in state: Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday hailed the BJP’s “spectacular” victory in West Bengal, saying the party’s ideology has now gained wide recognition among the people of the state. Speaking to PTI before leaving for Kolkata to attend Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in ceremony, Gadkari said the Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that the change in power would pave the way for rapid development in West Bengal. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur, took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister, marking a major political shift in the state and a significant breakthrough for the saffron party in eastern India.

PM Modi felicitates 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday felicitated senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony of the new West Bengal government at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground. The moment drew attention as the Prime Minister greeted the 98-year-old veteran and sought his blessings in front of party leaders and supporters gathered at the venue. Sarkar is regarded as one of the early grassroots figures linked to the nationalist movement in post-Independence India. His long association with the BJP and its ideological roots was highlighted during the ceremony, which marked a major political shift in West Bengal.

Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as West Bengal’s 9th Chief Minister

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, leading the first BJP government in the state’s history. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a large ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers from NDA-ruled states and several senior BJP leaders.

Who is Agnimitra Paul?

Before entering politics, Agnimitra Paul was known in the fashion industry. Her social media profiles describe her as a fashion designer who later shifted to public life and politics. Paul was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 and remained an MP till 2024. In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, she contested from Asansol Dakshin and defeated TMC candidate Tapas Banerjee by a margin of more than 40,000 votes, according to Election Commission data.

From Dilip Ghosh to Agnimitra Paul: BJP leaders take oath as Bengal ministers

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday marked a major political breakthrough in West Bengal as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s new chief minister following the party’s sweeping victory in the assembly elections. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, paving the way for its first government in Bengal. Alongside Suvendu Adhikari, several BJP leaders were sworn in as ministers in the new government. The ministers include: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramani.

Veteran BJP leader Makhanlal Sarkar attends

Veteran BJP figure Makhanlal Sarkar also appeared on stage during the event. BJP sources said he had accompanied Syama Prasad Mukherjee during his Kashmir journey. The ceremony also saw the presence of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and several industrialists and cultural personalities, including Mamata Shankar.

PM Modi pays tribute to Rabindranath Tagore ahead of Bengal CM swearing-in ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his 165th birth anniversary at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal. PM Modi was joined by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is set to take oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. The Prime Minister also greeted the crowd after arriving at the venue. Adhikari was elected leader of the BJP Legislative Party following the party’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, marking a historic political shift in West Bengal after years of TMC rule.

Tight security in place

Security arrangements across Kolkata were significantly tightened ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. Heavy deployment of police and central forces was seen outside Adhikari’s Chinar Park residence, Brigade Parade Ground and outside former chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat. Security was also intensified at the RCTC Ground, where Prime Minister Modi was expected to land before attending the ceremony.

Crowds gather at Brigade Parade Ground

Thousands of supporters gathered at the venue hours before the swearing-in ceremony began. Around 20 jhalmuri stalls were set up across Brigade Parade Ground, with many attendees seen enjoying the popular Bengali street snack while waiting for the programme to start.