Bengal’s New Chapter: First BJP Cabinet to Take Oath; PM Modi Expected in Kolkata

West Bengal is set to witness a historic political moment as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares to form its first government in the state, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9 at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground. The event is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, marking a significant shift in Bengal’s political landscape.

State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya announced that the oath-taking ceremony will begin at 10 am and will be held in a public setting for the first time, departing from the traditional practice of conducting such events at the Governor’s official residence. The move is seen as an effort to make the occasion more inclusive and symbolic of the party’s electoral victory.

The BJP secured a decisive mandate in the recently concluded Assembly elections, winning 207 out of 294 seats, while the outgoing Trinamool Congress (TMC) managed 80 seats. The scale of the victory has paved the way for the party’s first government in the state, ending decades of dominance by regional parties and marking a major political realignment in West Bengal.

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Ahead of the swearing-in, the selection of ministers will take place during a legislative party meeting scheduled for May 8 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. Amit Shah has been appointed as the central observer for the process, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi serving as co-observer, highlighting the central leadership’s involvement in shaping the new state cabinet.

The choice of May 9 for the ceremony also coincides with Pochishe Boishakh, the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, adding cultural significance to the occasion. The Brigade Parade Ground, located in the Maidan area, has historically hosted some of the largest political gatherings in India, further enhancing the symbolic weight of the event.

Over the decades, the venue has witnessed landmark moments, including public events attended by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and international leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev and Nikolai Bulganin. It has also hosted mass rallies addressed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi, cementing its place as a site of political and historical significance as Bengal prepares for a new chapter in its governance.

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