Kolkata, May 9: A historic chapter unfolded in West Bengal politics on Saturday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first government in the state, with Suvendu Adhikari taking the oath as Chief Minister. The grand ceremony was presided over by West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi, who administered the oath to Adhikari and five other ministers.
Among those who took the oath alongside Suvendu Adhikari were Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik. This marks the first time a right-wing party has established a government in the state.
On May 8, the BJP legislative party unanimously elected Suvendu Adhikari as its leader, paving the way for his appointment as Chief Minister. The BJP secured a resounding victory in the assembly elections, taking control of the state.
Suvendu Adhikari’s political journey spans over three decades. He began his political career in 1995 as a councilor from the Kanthi municipality. He has served as a councilor three times and also held the position of chairman of the Kanthi municipality. With over 20 years of legislative experience, he has been elected twice to the Lok Sabha and three times to the state assembly, serving as the Leader of the Opposition for five years.
During his tenure in the state government, he managed crucial ministries such as Transport and Irrigation. Additionally, he chaired the Hooghly River Bridge Commission and played a significant role in the development of the industrial town of Haldia as the chairman of the Haldia Development Authority. His contributions to the cooperative movement are also noteworthy, having served as chairman of the Agriculture Rural Bank, Kanthi Urban Cooperative, and Vidyasagar Central Cooperative Bank.
Suvendu Adhikari’s family has historical ties to the freedom movement. The prominent Adhikari family of Kanthi, including Bipin Adhikari and Kenaram Adhikari, were close associates of many freedom fighters. Bipin Adhikari was imprisoned by the British, and the family’s home was burned down twice during colonial rule.
Born on December 15, 1970, in Karakuli village of East Medinipur district, Suvendu Adhikari holds an M.A. from Rabindra Bharati University. He is the son of former Union Minister Shishir Adhikari and is currently unmarried.
He was a key figure in the 2007 Nandigram movement, which played a crucial role in ending the 34-year rule of the Left Front. Adhikari remained with the Trinamool Congress for a long time and served as a minister in Mamata Banerjee’s government until 2020. In December 2020, he joined the BJP in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He is often referred to as the “Giant Killer” for his significant political victories, having defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and in Bhawanipur in 2026.
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