By Snehal Sen
Kolkata, May 9 (UNI) All roads leading to the Brigade Parade Ground in West Bengal’s state capital Kolkata turned orange as thousands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters made their way to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJP government in Bengal.
Huge crowds in which many were seen carrying saffron flags with BJP emblazoned on it, sporting orange headgear and scarves began arriving early in the morning, turning all main thoroughfares leading to the iconic Brigade Parade Ground including the Red Road, saffron.
The ceremony coincided with Rabindra Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and the state’s biggest icon. A large portrait of Tagore occupied a prominent position on the main stage, lending a distinctly Bengali cultural touch to the high-profile political event. Potraits of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were also placed prominently on the stage.
The main stage’s backdrop had murals of woman blowing a conch shell even as a priest carrying a flaming torch stood outside a temple. The most striking image was of Durga Puja complete with a man carrying a “dhunuchi” even as dhakis played their dhaaks.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Brigade Parade Ground in an open Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, loud chants of “Modi, Modi”, “Jai Shri Ram” and “Vishwaguru” went up from the packed crowd.
Modi reached the stage at 11.07am and paid floral tributes before Tagore’s portrait, drawing another wave of cheers from supporters gathered at the venue, before he felicitated Makhanlal Sarkar, who worked with Syama Parasad Mookerjee and was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir along with him.
Several senior BJP leaders and chief ministers from around 20 states were present at the event. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the prominent figures on the dais, alongside Governor RN Ravi, who administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was administered the oath of office and secrecy in Bengali by the Governor.
As Adhikari recited the oath, loud cheers erupted from the crowd, with supporters waving party flags and raising slogans in support of the new government.
The ground rang with cries of “Jai Shree Ram” and “Suvendu Adhikari ki jai!” as Adhikari read out his oath.
The first five ministers sworn in were Dilip Ghosh, Ashok Kirtania, Nishith Pramanik, Agnimitra Paul and Khudiram Tudu.
The national anthem was played at 11.54am, with the massive gathering standing in unison as the formal proceedings concluded.
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty was also present at the ceremony and interacted with several senior party leaders on stage.
Inside the venue, at least 20 stalls had been set up selling jhalmuri, the quintessential Bengali snack that gained national attention after Modi sampled it during his election campaign trail in Jhargram. Vendors reported brisk sales as supporters queued up for the popular street food during breaks in the ceremony.
Sweet stalls selling rosogolla and sandesh shaped like the BJP’s lotus symbol also proved popular, with many featuring saffron-coloured icing -- all of which flew off the shelves.
Among those attending the ceremony was Sandeepa Mondal, a BJP supporter who had travelled from Sandeshkhali in the Sundarbans. Mondal said she had left home a day before the swearing-in ceremony to ensure she could attend the event.
“I stayed at a relative’s place and came here. We had to be here. Hopefully this new government will ensure that no atrocities take place in the Sundarbans,” she said.
Sandeshkhali had come under the national spotlight following allegations of land-grabbing and sexual harassment involving local women. The case drew widespread political attention after police arrested Sheikh Shahjahan, who was named as the prime accused in the matter.
Standing beside Mondal was Piyush Kanodia, the MLA-elect from Rajarhat-New Town. “We are workers at the grassroots level that is why we are standing here with the people. At least 20 other MLA elects are standing in the crowd and cheering the ceremony. Can you recall any Trinamool leader doing the same during their heydays? This is a historic day. We have collectively managed to banish the Trinamool Congress, which had become synonymous with corrupt practices everywhere.”
After the ceremony, CM Adhikari posted on his X account:
“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 fulfil the dreams of our founding fathers. 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.”
Prime Minister Modi also posted on X, remembering Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and highlighting the BJP’s ideological roots in West Bengal.
“Today, as the first-ever BJP government takes oath in West Bengal, it is natural for all of us to remember Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and his everlasting contribution to the nation and West Bengal in particular. No stone will be left unturned to fulfil his vision. During the swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata, had the opportunity to meet Shri Makhanlal Sarkar Ji. A devout nationalist, he worked with Dr Mookerjee and was even arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while accompanying him. He dedicated his life to our Party, expanding its base across West Bengal, inspiring people from all walks of life to join the Party.
"We in the BJP are proud that we have such motivating figures who have worked among the people and strengthened our Party,” he added.
UNI SEN RKM RN