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Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as First BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal

Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday. Five other ministers, including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania, and Khudiram Tudu, also took oath. The new cabinet represents diverse caste backgrounds, including Matua, tribal, OBC, Kayastha, and Rajbanshi communities. Adhikari fulfills Amit Shah's criteria of being a "son of the soil" and a Bengali-medium educated leader.

Key Points: Adhikari Takes Oath as Bengal's First BJP CM

  • Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as Bengal's first BJP CM
  • Five other ministers sworn in including Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul
  • Cabinet reflects diverse caste backgrounds: Matua, tribal, OBC, Kayastha, Rajbanshi
  • Amit Shah's criteria for "son of the soil" CM fulfilled by Adhikari
2 min read

Son of the soil Adhikari takes oath as first BJP Chief Minister of Bengal; five other ministers sworn in

Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal with five ministers, including Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul, in a diverse caste representation.

"son of the soil, a Bengali and one who had pursued his academic career in Bengali medium - Amit Shah"

Kolkata, May 9

Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the Chief Minister of the first BJP-ruled West Bengal government, along with four other members of the state Council of Ministers led by him.

The other five members of the state Council of Ministers who were sworn in on Saturday include the former national vice-president and former state president of the BJP in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh, fashion-designer-turned politician and two-time BJP legislator, Agnimitra Paul, former BJP Lok Sabha member and the former Union Minister of state for Home, Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu.

Ghosh was the second person after Adhikari to take oath, followed by Paul, Kritania, Tudu and Pramanik

However, at the time the report was filed, the portfolios of the five other members of the state's Council of Ministers were not announced.

While Kirtania represents the Matua community, Tudu represents the tribal community. In the recently concluded Assembly elections in West Bengal, the BJP candidates virtually swept almost all the Assembly constituencies where Matua and tribal voters were in majority.

While Ghosh represents the other backward class (OBC) community, Paul hails from Kayastha background. Pramanik is the representative of the Rajbanshi community, a predominant sect of people in North Bengal, where the BJP this time had almost demolished Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

Adhikari himself is a Brahmin. Political observers feel that selection of the first six ministers from different caste-backgrounds is a subtle signal sent by the BJP that the new state government will consider people from all caste-backgrounds with equality without any bias towards anybody.

To recall, whenever Union Home Minister, Amit Shah went to Bengal for election campaigns, he was asked who the Chief Minister of the first BJP-ruled government in West Bengal would be. Instead of directly naming anyone, Shah always said that the new Chief Minister will be a "son of the soil, a Bengali and one who had pursued his academic career in Bengali medium."

So Adhikari rightly suits all the criteria that were outlined by Shah before the elections.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress, as the principal Opposition party in the House this time, is yet to announce the name of the Leader of the Opposition, the chair held by Adhikari from 2021 to 2026.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Let's see if this government actually delivers on promises. We've heard a lot about 'poriborton' but ground reality matters more. The inclusion of Matua and tribal ministers is good, but will they have real power? 🤔
R
Ravi K
Son of the soil indeed! Suvendu Adhikari's journey from Mamata's camp to BJP's top post shows how politics works in Bengal. I just hope he doesn't forget his roots now that he's CM. Dilip Ghosh as minister is a strong choice too.
J
James A
Interesting to see the caste calculus in Bengal politics. But honestly, as an outsider looking in, I hope this government focuses on actual governance issues like infrastructure, education, and healthcare rather than just identity politics.
P
Priya S
Nisith Pramanik as home minister? That's a big responsibility for a young leader. And Agnimitra Paul from fashion to politics - what a journey! The cabinet has diversity but I wish more women were included. Only one out of six is disappointing. 😕
M
Michael C
Being from outside Bengal, I find this narrative of 'son of the soil' interesting but also a bit worrying. In a globalized India, shouldn't we be moving beyond such regional tags? Anyway, best wishes to the new government - hope they improve the law and order situation.
T

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