BJP leader Shuvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday. The Governor administered the oath to him in a colorful ceremony held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, central BJP leaders and the Chief Ministers of various BJP-ruled states.
Five other ministers took oath along with Shuvendu Adhikari at the ceremony held at around 12 noon local time. They are Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Pal, Ashok Kirtania, Nishith Pramanik and Khudiram Tudu.
The results of the West Bengal Assembly elections were declared on May 4. The BJP won 207 seats in the elections and secured the majority to form the government. Ever since the results were announced, there has been a lot of discussion in political circles about who will become the Chief Minister.
The BJP central leadership had earlier indicated that a leader associated with the soil and culture of Bengal would be chosen as the Chief Minister. According to political analysts, Subhendu Adhikari was in the lead in the race for the Chief Minister’s post from the beginning due to his important role in the election campaign and organization.
He was unanimously elected as the legislative party leader in the BJP legislative party meeting on Friday. After the meeting, Amit Shah said, “Although multiple proposals were made for the election of the legislative party leader, Subhendu Adhikari’s name was in every proposal. No second name was proposed. Therefore, he has been unanimously declared as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.”
Political observers believe that a new chapter has begun in the political arena of West Bengal with the swearing-in of the new government.