West Bengal: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik on Saturday took oath as members of the Council of Ministers in the Suvendu Adhikari-led government in West Bengal. The grand ceremony was held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground. The leaders are likely to handle key portfolios following the BJP's historic victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Prior to them, Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state's first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister. The swearing-in marked the beginning of West Bengal's first BJP-led government since Independence, ending decades of dominance by regional and Left parties in the politically crucial state.
At the event, supporters gathered in large numbers at Brigade Parade Ground, celebrating what BJP leaders described as a 'historic mandate for change' in the state. The high-profile ceremony witnessed the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, several Union ministers, and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states.
During the oath-taking ceremony, PM Modi was seen seeking blessings and felicitating 98-year-old veteran BJP leader Makhanlal Sarkar.
Makhanlal Sarkar is regarded as one of the oldest surviving grassroots leaders associated with the nationalist movement in West Bengal. After the formation of the BJP in 1980, Sarkar played a key role in expanding the party’s presence in northern West Bengal. Not just this, PM Modi was also seen bowing down and said, 'I bow to the Jana Shakti of West Bengal,' to the people of Bengal for their support for the party.
