Page 3 - Suvendu Adhikari

Suvendu's cabinet line-up reflects Bengal's geographical, ethnic diversity

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and five ministers were sworn in at the Brigade Parade Grounds here on Saturday as West Bengal got its first BJP government, with representatives from the northern and southern regions of the state being inducted into the cabinet, but none from Kolkata. Reflecting West Bengal's diverse ethnic fabric, the cabinet represented communities, including the Matuas and the Santhals. Here's a brief look at the background of the five members of Adhikari's council of ministers who were sworn in: Dilip Ghosh: If the 2026 state elections put giant-killer Suvendu Adhikari at its centrestage, following his historic win over Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, the polls also scripted a remarkable comeback for Ghosh, the former president of the BJP's West Bengal unit, cementing his role in a more measured second innings in state politics. Easily one of the party's most recognisable and combative faces in Bengal, Ghosh played a pivotal role in transforming the saffron part

Suvendu Adhikari visits Tagore's home before starting work as Bengal CM

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.

Suvendu deeply connected to people: Modi wishes Bengal CM 'fruitful tenure'

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.

Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as West Bengal CM, leads state's first BJP govt

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.

Jhalmuri becomes flavour of victory at Bengal BJP's maiden oath ceremony

Jhalmuri, the quintessential Bengali street snack that became an unlikely symbol in the bitter TMC-BJP fight for over a month, found pride of place at the swearing-in of West Bengal's first BJP government at the Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday. The state BJP set up 20 jhalmuri stalls across the sprawling venue in central Kolkata, while several independent vendors were also seen doing brisk business along the periphery. Scores of people attending the ceremony made a beeline for the stalls to savour the snack made of puffed rice, green chillies, and an assortment of spices. "I am loving jhalmuri more today because of our heady victory in the election," said Manjari Basu, who came from Tollygunge, in Kolkata's southern quarters, to witness the swearing-in ceremony. Manish Yadav from Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas, holding a paper packet of jhalmuri in hand, said the snack tasted sweet instead of spicy because of the BJP's momentous victory. The humble snack hogged national limeli

Sonar Bangla era begins: Adhikari as WB's first BJP govt set to take charge

West Bengal's chief minister-elect Suvendu Adhikari said the days of 'Sonar Bangla' have officially started with Saturday marking the beginning of a new era of "peace and prosperity" under a "double-engine" administration as the state's first BJP government is set to take charge. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Kolkata for the oath-taking ceremony at the Brigade Parade Ground, Adhikari posted a message on X welcoming him to the state and describing the occasion as the fulfilment of the "dreams of our founding fathers". "A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed. It is a moment of profound pride and jubilation to welcome visionary Leader PM Narendra Modi Ji to the City of Joy. Today, as we witness the swearing-in ceremony of the first-ever BJP government in West Bengal since Independence, we fulfil the dreams of our founding fathers. "Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a double-engine era of development, peace, and prosperity. The era of ..

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 nor

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West Bengal verdict a mandate for national security, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the BJP's victory in West Bengal as a mandate for national security as Suvendu Adhikari was elected the state's first BJP chief minister

From Mamata's minister to chief minister: Suvendu's journey to CM's office

Five years after losing to Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, Mamata Banerjee suffered another symbolic defeat as the BJP leader wrested Bhabanipur and emerged as West Bengal's new political centrepiece

One battle after another: Suvendu Adhikari's fight for the Bengal CM's post

From Congress worker to TMC strongman and now BJP's face in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari's rise has reshaped the state's politics

Suvendu Adhikari elected BJP's legislature party leader, new CM of Bengal

The BJP won 207 seats to secure more than a two-thirds majority in the 294-member West Bengal assembly

Security intensified at WB border as killers of Suvendu's PA may flee state

Police stations in border districts of West Bengal intensified surveillance and searches as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighbouring states in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Friday. The police are also investigating the role of local criminals who might have provided logistical support to the assailants, he said. More than 36 hours after Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was assassinated by motorcycle-borne gunmen at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, the police are yet to make any arrest. "A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state," a senior police officer told PTI. He also said all police stations in border districts have been alerted. "Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along .

Suvendu Adhikari's aide murdered: Police seize vehicle, probe underway

West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta said that live rounds along with fired cartridges were recovered from the spot of the incident near Madhyamgram

TMC condemns murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath

The Trinamool Congress condemned the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath by unidentified men on the northern fringes of Kolkata on Wednesday night and demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into the incident. "We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight, along with the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants over the last three days, despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force," the party said in a statement. "We demand the strongest possible action in this matter, including a court-monitored CBI probe so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without delay," it said. Violence and political killings have no place in a democracy, and the guilty must be held accountable at the earliest, the statement added.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant shot in Madhyamgram

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was shot at from close range by unidentified assailants in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night, sources said. The incident took place in the Madhyamgram area, where the victim, who serves as the executive assistant to the leader of opposition in the state assembly, was allegedly targeted on a public road, they said. Rath sustained multiple bullet injuries in the firing and was rushed to a private hospital, sources added. Soon after the incident, a large police contingent reached the spot and launched an investigation. The motive behind the attack was not immediately known. Senior police officers were present in the area, and efforts were on to identify and trace those involved in the shooting, sources said.

West Bengal election result: Suvendu’s reaction after winning Bhabanipur against Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal election result 2026: Suvendu Adhikari's reaction after winning Bhabanipur seat against CM Mamata Banerjee

Suvendu Adhikari's rise: From Mamata loyalist to defeating her twice

Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021, beat her again in Bhabanipur as the BJP ended the TMC's 15-year rule in Bengal

West Bengal polls 2026: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari votes in Nandigram

West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote in Nandigram on Thursday morning, and hailed the arrangements made by the Election Commission.