Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister Amid Grand Political and Cultural Showcase including Temple Tours. 

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | Kolkata |  May 9, 2026:: In a historic political transformation for West Bengal, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister, marking a Hindutva moment in Bengal’s political history. The grand swearing-in ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and most members of the Union Cabinet, underscored the strategic and ideological importance of Bengal for the BJP.

Adhikari, once regarded as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s closest political associate before his dramatic departure from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), assumed office in the presence of BJP chief ministers from across the country. Political observers described the gathering as a show of strength and a declaration of the BJP’s long-term commitment to reshaping Bengal’s political landscape.

Dressed in a simple saffron kurta symbolising the party’s growing ideological consolidation in Bengal, Adhikari took oath alongside a diverse team of ministers representing different communities and social groups. The cabinet included Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik representing the Rajbongshi community, Dilip Ghosh from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Ashok Kirtania representing the Matua community, and tribal leader Kshudiram Tudu.

Brigade Parade Ground Turns into a Celebration of Bengali Culture

The swearing-in ceremony at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground was carefully designed not only as a political event but also as a celebration of Bengal’s cultural identity. In a symbolic nod to Bengali traditions, nearly 20 stalls serving traditional sweets and jhalmuri — Bengal’s iconic street snack — were set up across the venue.

The humble jhalmuri drew particular attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made an impromptu stop during an election rally in Jhargram in April to enjoy the snack, a moment that quickly became popular among BJP supporters.

The atmosphere at Brigade Parade Ground reflected a blend of politics, spirituality, and regional culture. Traditional dhak and drum beating echoed across the venue, while Sankirtan choruses and the famous Chhau dance performances from Purulia added vibrant cultural colour to the event. The gathering also witnessed the significant presence of monks and saints from various ashrams across Bengal, alongside prominent Bengali artists, doctors, lawyers, industrialists, performers, and intellectuals.

Political commentators interpreted the elaborate cultural presentation as part of the BJP’s effort to counter the opposition’s long-standing narrative that the party lacks emotional and cultural roots in Bengal.

Symbolism Behind the Date

The BJP deliberately chose May 9 for the swearing-in ceremony as the day coincided with Rabindra Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The decision was widely viewed as a symbolic gesture aimed at aligning the new government with Bengal’s literary and cultural heritage.

The significance of Bengal for the BJP extends beyond electoral politics. The state is also the birthplace of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological predecessor of today’s BJP.

Tribute at Jorasanko Thakurbari

Soon after taking the oath, Chief Minister Adhikari headed to Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral home and birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore, to pay tribute to the Nobel laureate on his 165th birth anniversary.

Accompanied by cabinet colleagues, party leaders, and supporters, Adhikari garlanded Tagore’s bust and reiterated his government’s commitment to peace, harmony, and cultural revival inspired by the poet’s philosophy.

Addressing media representatives outside the historic residence, Adhikari said Bengal’s spiritual and cultural traditions would remain central to his administration’s vision for governance and social harmony.

Visit to Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s Residence

From Jorasanko, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister travelled to Mookerjee House in Bhawanipore, the residence of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Paying homage to the Jana Sangh founder, Adhikari garlanded his bust and remembered Dr Mookerjee’s contribution to the formation of West Bengal by ensuring that a Hindu-majority region remained part of India during Partition.

Adhikari described Dr Mookerjee as a visionary leader who played a crucial role in “carving out West Bengal from Pakistan as a homeland for Bengali Hindus” during one of the most turbulent periods in the subcontinent’s history.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the spiritual and ideological connection between Dr Mookerjee and Swami Pranavananda, founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Referring to historical beliefs associated with Bengal’s nationalist and spiritual movements, Adhikari noted:

“It is believed that the Founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Swami Pranavananda, spiritually empowered Shyamaprasad and entrusted him as the saviour of Bengali Hindus during the days of communal politics under the Muslim League and the turbulent years leading to the Partition of India, including Bengal.”

The remarks reflected the BJP’s broader attempt to connect Bengal’s religious, spiritual, and nationalist traditions within its political narrative.

Spiritual Stop at Bharat Sevashram Sangha

Adhikari’s next destination was the headquarters of Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Ballygunge, where he paid tribute to Swami Pranavananda.

At the ashram, Adhikari met senior monks, including the organisation’s General Secretary Swami Biswatmananda, and sought blessings for peace, prosperity, and development in West Bengal. He also reunited with Swami Pradiptananda, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, who is often associated with the rise of Hindu nationalist influence in Bengal.

The Chief Minister Adhikari visited the “Bishram Kaksha” (resting chamber) associated with Swami Pranavananda and offered prayers for social harmony and the welfare of the state.

Prayer at Kalighat Temple

Continuing his spiritual itinerary, Adhikari visited the revered Kalighat Kali Temple, one of Bengal’s most sacred Shakti Peethas. Offering prayers before Goddess Kali, he shared an emotional account of what he described as a divine sign he had experienced during an earlier visit to the temple.

According to Adhikari, while bowing before the deity on a previous occasion, a lotus flower had unexpectedly fallen onto his hand from the feet of the goddess. He interpreted the incident as a symbolic blessing and a sign of his eventual political victory in Bhawanipore.

The statement drew enthusiastic reactions from BJP supporters gathered outside the temple premises.

Grand Reception in Chetla; Way to Shitala Mata Temple

From Kalighat, Adhikari travelled to the Chetla area under his Bhawanipore constituency, where he had defeated Mamata Banerjee for the second consecutive time in a politically charged electoral contest.

He visited the revered Shitala Mata temple, considered by devotees to be a “Jagrat Mandir” or spiritually awakened shrine. Thousands of residents lined the streets to welcome the new Chief Minister, blowing conch shells and chanting slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”

The roads were filled with saffron flags, devotional songs, and celebratory processions, giving the area the atmosphere of a major religious festival.

A Day of Political Symbolism and Spiritual Messaging

From Tagore’s Jorasanko residence to Kalighat Temple, from the legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee to the spiritual influence of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Adhikari’s first day in office reflected a carefully choreographed blend of politics, spirituality, and Bengali cultural symbolism.

Political analysts observed that the BJP sought to project a synthesis of Bengali identity and Hindu civilisational consciousness — themes that have increasingly shaped the party’s strategy in the state over recent years.

Supporters hailed the developments as the beginning of a cultural and ideological resurgence for Bengali Hindus after years of perceived marginalisation under previous governments. Critics, however, argued that the overt religious symbolism represented a deepening politicisation of faith and culture.

Nevertheless, Saturday’s events undeniably marked the beginning of a new political era in West Bengal — one that could fundamentally redefine the state’s ideological and electoral landscape in the years ahead.
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_Agency Inputs.