Modi says Suvendu deeply connected to people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on taking oath as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister, saying that he was deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations.

Adhikari took the oath at the iconic Brigade Parade Grounds in the presence of Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP's central leadership and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states.

In his message for Adhikari, Modi wished the first BJP chief minister of the state a "fruitful tenure".

"Congratulations to Suvendu Adhikari Ji on taking oath as West Bengal's chief minister. He has made a mark as a leader who remained deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations from close quarters," Modi wrote on X after attending the event.

"My best wishes to him for a fruitful tenure ahead," he wrote and posted with the message an image of Goddess Durga and another of him congratulating Adhikari on the stage.

Heavy CRPF and police deployment outside Writers’ Building ahead of CM Suvendu Adhikari’s expected arrival

Heavy CRPF and police deployment has been made outside the Writers’ Building in Kolkata ahead of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s expected arrival at Mahakaran. Barricades, frisking points, and multiple security layers have been set up around the B.B.D. Bagh area for his first official visit to the building.

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West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pays tribute at Jorasanko Thakurbari

Newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday drove straight to Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, soon after the oath-taking ceremony and paid floral tributes to the poet before formally beginning his official duties.

Dressed in a dhoti and saffron panjabi, Adhikari said he wanted to seek the blessings of Kaviguru before starting work as chief minister.

"My official work begins after paying tribute to Kaviguru," he said.

Invoking Swami Vivekananda, Adhikari cited the words of the monk "Charaiveti, Charaiveti" (keep going)", as he called upon people to work towards building a new Bengal.

He wished for a new dawn for Bengal.

"Let us rebuild Bengal," he said, adding that this was not the time for blame or criticism.

Adhikari also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had wished for this day and described it as an important occasion for the state.

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “With the spirit of Rabindranath Tagore, a new awakening has begun in Bengal as the new government has taken responsibility. The Prime Minister paid tribute to Gurudev, and the Chief Minister took oath, while we accepted our responsibilities. Bengal and Bengali culture will move forward with the ideals, thoughts, and consciousness of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Today’s message is one of prosperity and progress. It is also a matter of pride that Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee was born on this sacred land.”  

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “...Today is an important day for the country and for Bengal. That is why the Prime Minister wanted the new government to begin its tenure on the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we paid tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, took the oath today, and began our official government programme by offering our respects and floral tributes to him.”  

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pays tribute at Jorasanko Thakurbari, birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore.  

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari sings a song in front of media after paying tribute at Jorasanko Thakurbari.  

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath departs from Kolkata after attending the oath-taking ceremony of the first BJP-lead government of West Bengal.

'We want Bengal to stay good': Suvendu Adhikari's father

As Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as West Bengal CM, his father Sisir Kumar Adhikari says, “We want Bengal to stay good. The agricultural family should grow. There should be proper education and suitable industries should be established in the right places so that people can get employment opportunities. There is no place for thieves in politics. Politics should not have space for dishonest people. The soil of Bengal is very sacred, and we bow before it. Wrong things have happened here, and those wrongs should be removed. Bengal has immense potential. We have rivers, the sea, forests, hills, and rich natural resources. Bengal also has a large number of educated people. Women’s protection is extremely important, and industries that generate employment should be established."

'He fought alone': Suvendu Adhikari’s mother after swearing-in

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's mother Gayatri Adhikari speaks on her son taking oath as West Bengal CM, said, "What is happening is good, it feels good. Yes, that is what the boy wanted. He has struggled a lot for the last five years. He has come back from the brink of death. Yes, not once, not three times, but four times there were attempts to kill him. Till today, where no one else has gone, he has gone alone. From here, from the north, south, and east… that boy has fought alone. And whatever he learned from childhood came from his father. His father was like that too."

BJP supporters celebrate formation of first BJP government in Bengal

BJP supporters rejoice and raise slogans as they celebrate the formation of the first BJP-lead government in the state.

Ashok Dinda says Suvendu Adhikari’s rise reflects Opposition struggle in Bengal

After the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected government, BJP MLA and former cricketer Ashok Dhinda said, "There was a time when Suvendu Adhikari had to go to the High Court just to hold a public meeting. Now he is our Chief Minister. What we are seeing today is a result of the injustice faced by the opposition in the state. God is great!... This is the victory of our 321 karyakartas, who were murdered over time."

PM Modi greets newly sworn-in Bengal ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the newly appointed cabinet of West Bengal after the oath-taking ceremony.

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BJP MLAs Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul take oath as ministers

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BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal since independence

BJP legislature party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday, heading the first BJP government in the state.

Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Grounds here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and senior BJP leaders.

The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state. 

PM Modi honours veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took blessings and felicitated Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the most senior BJP workers in West Bengal, as he attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new government

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Top NDA leaders at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground for BJP govt swearing-in

BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Union Home Minister and BJP's Central Observer for West Bengal elections, Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister JP Nadda, greet Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of all BJP-ruled states, who have gathered to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the first BJP government in West Bengal.

Senior NDA leaders, including Union HM Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and others at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Grounds, where the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal is taking place.   

PM Modi waves to supporters at Brigade Parade Ground ahead of swearing-in

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to a sea of supporters and party workers who have gathered at the Brigade Parade Ground to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the first BJP government in West Bengal.

CM-designate Suvendu Adhikari and West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya are also present.

PM Modi enters venue on open-top vehicle with Suvendu Adhikari and Samik Bhattacharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Brigade Parade Grounds here on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP's first government in West Bengal.

Accompanied by state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and CM-elect Suvendu Adhikari, Modi was accorded a rousing welcome.

Amid the 'Jay Shri Ram' slogan, Modi entered the venue on an open vehicle and was seen waving at the crowd.

The Prime Minister landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here a little before 10 am and took a helicopter to reach the Race Course ground before proceeding by road to the venue.

Thousands of BJP supporters gathered at the Brigade Parade Grounds since early morning to witness the oath-taking ceremony.