Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP Chief Minister at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata
On 9 May 2026 Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath to Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister of West Bengal at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, heading the state's first BJP government after the party won 207 of 294 seats.
Summary
Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the BJP legislature party, was sworn in as Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026 at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, becoming the first BJP leader to hold the post. Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to him and to five ministers: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik. The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80, ending Mamata Banerjee's tenure as Chief Minister since 2011. PM Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, held on the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore as per the Bengali calendar. Under Article 164(1A) of the Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State cannot exceed 15% of the Assembly's strength and cannot be fewer than twelve.
Key facts
- Sworn in
- 9 May 2026, Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata
- Oath by
- Governor R. N. Ravi
- Ministers
- Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, Nisith Pramanik
- Result
- BJP 207 of 294 seats; TMC 80
- Significance
- First BJP CM of West Bengal; Mamata Banerjee CM since 2011
- Constitution
- Art. 164(1A): ministers incl. CM ≤ 15% of Assembly strength, minimum 12
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari took oath as Chief Minister; Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and Nisith Pramanik were sworn in as ministers.
How many seats did the BJP win in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly in the 2026 election?
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Correct answer: D — 207
The BJP won 207 of 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80.
Where was the swearing-in of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held on 9 May 2026, and who administered the oath?
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Correct answer: A — Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata; Governor R. N. Ravi
Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, as the Governor does for State ministers under Article 164(3).
Consider the following statements about Article 164 of the Constitution of India: 1. The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly, and shall not be less than twelve. 2. The Council of Ministers of a State is collectively responsible to the Governor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct (Article 164(1A), added by the 91st Amendment, 2003). Under Article 164(2) the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly, not the Governor.