'Sonar Bangla begins': Suvendu Adhikari calls it a historic reset as BJP forms first Bengal government

Hours before taking oath, Suvendu Adhikari set the tone for what he called a political reset in West Bengal, declaring the start of a “Sonar Bangla” era as the state prepares to see its first BJP government since Independence.

Adhikari, elected leader of the BJP Legislative Party, described the moment as both historic and hard-fought, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled later on Saturday in Kolkata.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the ceremony, adding national weight to a transition that reshapes the state’s political landscape.

In a post on X, Adhikari cast the day in sweeping terms. “A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed. It is a moment of profound pride and jubilation to welcome Visionary Leader Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi 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 fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers,” he wrote.

He framed the shift as a break from the past and a pivot to governance anchored in coordination with the Centre.

“Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a ‘Double Engine’ era of development, peace, and prosperity. The era of ‘Sonar Bangla’ officially begins. Welcome, Pradhan Mantri Ji,” the post read.

Adhikari is set to be sworn in as chief minister later in the day, formally ushering in the BJP’s first administration in the state.

The decision to elevate him came a day earlier, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah, acting as central observer, announced Adhikari as leader of the BJP Legislative Party after chairing a meeting in Kolkata.

The mandate underpinning the transition is decisive. Adhikari contested from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, defeating outgoing chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by more than 15,000 votes—a result that signalled a sharp political shift in the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 207 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, while the All India Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 after 15 years in power.

Senior leaders have been arriving in Kolkata ahead of the ceremony. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, J. P. Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, reached the city on Friday, with more senior BJP leaders expected to attend the swearing-in.

(With inputs from ANI)