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

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

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.

PM Modi’s chopper lands at RCTC Ground

PM Narendra Modi’s chopper lands at RCTC Ground.

He will proceed to Brigade Parade Ground to attend the oath taking ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Security tightened ahead of Suvendu Adhikari's swearing-in as Bengal CM

Security was tightened across key locations in Kolkata on Saturday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the first BJP government in West Bengal, including at the residence of chief minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari, Brigade Parade Grounds and outside former CM Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence.

Heavy security deployment was seen outside Adhikari's Chinar Park residence here.

Security arrangements were also intensified at the RCTC Ground, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to land before attending the ceremony.

A multi-layered security apparatus, including central forces and Kolkata Police personnel, was put in place at Brigade Parade Grounds, the venue of the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected BJP government.

CRPF personnel were deployed outside Banerjee's Kalighat residence amid heightened political activity in the city.

The BJP registered a historic win in the polls, ending Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state.

Meanwhile, BJP supporters from north Bengal and neighbouring states such as Jharkhand began arriving here to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Groups of supporters carrying party flags and raising slogans gathered at various points in the city before proceeding towards Brigade Parade Grounds.

"It is a historic day. We have come to witness West Bengal getting independence from the clutches of the TMC," a supporter from Jharkhand said.

Enthusiastic crowd at Kolkata venue for oath ceremony

Excited BJP supporters arrive at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata to participate in swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal.

Brigade Parade Ground hosts memorial for BJP workers killed in political violence

A memorial has been erected at the Brigade Parade Ground in honour of the BJP workers killed in political violence in West Bengal. 

Main stage set at Brigade Parade Ground for oath ceremony

Visuals of the main stage from Brigade Parade Ground, where West Bengal BJP Legislative Party Leader Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh says, 'Time to fulfil Bengal aspirations'

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected government in West Bengal, BJP MLA from Siliguri, Sankar Ghosh says, "It is a matter of pride for all of us... We did it and now its time to fulfil the aspirations of Bengal..."

Rekha Gupta says Bengal voted for ‘Sonar Bangla’

Ahead of the oath-taking of the newly elected government in West Bengal, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, "I am very happy for Bengal and the women of Bengal. They suffered atrocities and dominance for 15 long years. People of Bengal have now voted for 'Sonar Bangla'..."

West Bengal CM-designate Suvendu Adhikari departs for oath ceremony

West Bengal CM-designate Suvendu Adhikari leaves from his residence.

Bhupendra Patel arrives in Kolkata for oath ceremony

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reaches Kolkata ahead of the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal. 

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu reaches Kolkata

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu reaches Kolkata ahead of the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal. 

CRPF deployed outside Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence

CRPF deployed outside Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence in Kolkata.

The BJP registered a historic victory in the just-held assembly elections, ending the TMC's 15-year rule and dealing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee one of the biggest setbacks of her political career.

Heavy turnout of workers at swearing-in venue

Supporter and party workers continue to arrive at the Brigade Parade Ground amid heightened security, for the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected BJP government in the state.

BJP supporters from North Bengal and Jharkhand arrive in Kolkata to take part in the oath taking ceremony of the new West Bengal government. 

Heavy security at Brigade Parade Ground

Heavy security apparatus is in place at the Brigade Parade Ground ahead of the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal.

West Bengal BJP Legislative Party Leader Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal here.

PM Modi pays homage to Tagore, terms him 'timeless voice of India's civilisational soul'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary and said he made a mark as an exceptional philosopher, educationist, artist and a "timeless voice of India's civilisational soul".

Tagore's birth anniversary is celebrated on 'Pochishe Boishakh' or the 25th of the Bengali month of Boishak, known as Rabindra Jayanti.

"Today, on the special occasion of Pochishe Boishakh, we pay our heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Tagore," PM Modi said in a post on 'X'.

He said Gurudev Tagore was a writer, thinker and poet of extraordinary brilliance.

"He made a mark as an exceptional philosopher, educationist, artist and a timeless voice of India's civilisational soul. He gave expression to the deepest emotions of humanity and the noblest ideals of our culture," the prime minister said.

PM Modi said Tagore enriched society with new thoughts, creative energy and cultural confidence.

"We remember him with deep reverence and gratitude. May his thoughts continue to illuminate minds and guide us in our endeavours," he said.

Tagore was born on 25th Boishakh 1268 of the Bengali calendar (May 7, 1861, by the Gregorian calendar).