Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt moment with 98-year-old BJP worker Makhan Lal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal’s new Chief Minister in Kolkata on Friday. As soon as Sarkar greeted him at the venue, PM Modi walked up to the veteran party worker, touched his feet as a mark of respect, and warmly embraced him. The emotional gesture quickly grabbed attention and drew loud cheers and applause from BJP supporters present at the ceremony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday to take part in the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP’s first-ever government in West Bengal. The event marked a major political turning point in the state, as the BJP came to power after defeating the Trinamool Congress and bringing an end to its 15-year rule in Bengal.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and Chief Minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at the venue. BJP supporters welcomed the Prime Minister with loud cheers, while chants of “Jai Shri Ram” echoed throughout the massive Brigade Parade Ground during the ceremony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered the Brigade Parade Ground in an open vehicle and waved at thousands of BJP supporters who had gathered at the venue since early morning to witness the oath-taking ceremony. Supporters cheered loudly as the Prime Minister made his way through the grounds. Earlier in the day, Modi arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport shortly before 10 am. From there, he travelled by helicopter to the Race Course grounds and then continued his journey by road before finally reaching the ceremony venue.
Sea of Saffron at Brigade Parade Ground
The Brigade Parade Ground saw huge crowds as BJP supporters from across West Bengal gathered for the historic event. Many people also came from neighbouring states like Jharkhand, while some supporters even arrived from overseas to witness the swearing-in ceremony. Saffron flags, BJP banners, and cheering party workers filled the venue, turning the entire ground into a sea of saffron.
Groups of BJP supporters carrying party flags and banners marched through the streets of Kolkata and raised slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Suvendu Adhikari. The city witnessed a festive atmosphere as party workers celebrated the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal. Several Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states also attended the swearing-in ceremony at the venue.
It is a historic day for us. We have come here to witness West Bengal getting freedom from the rule of the Trinamool Congress,” a BJP supporter from Jharkhand said while attending the swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata.
Another supporter said he had travelled all the way from Canada to personally witness the oath-taking event and be part of the celebrations.
End of Trinamool’s 15-Year Rule in West Bengal
The Bharatiya Janata Party won 207 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly and secured a massive victory in the state elections. With this result, the BJP successfully ended the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and formed its first government in West Bengal.
Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in ceremony marked a historic moment for the BJP as the party formed its first-ever government in West Bengal. The victory also became one of the BJP’s biggest electoral breakthroughs in eastern India.
