Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal’s first BJP CM; Vijay’s TVK recognized as Tamil Nadu churns

West Bengal entered a new political era on Saturday as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s first BJP chief minister since Independence, capping a sweep that ended 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule under Mamata Banerjee. The swearing-in at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground was billed by the BJP as a landmark for Bengal’s political history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, chief ministers from the NDA, industrialists and religious leaders attended what the party cast as the beginning of “Sonar Bangla.” Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and Ashok Kirtania were among those inducted into the new council of ministers.

Adhikari’s elevation followed the BJP’s victory in 207 of the Assembly’s 294 seats and his unanimous election as the party’s legislature leader at a meeting chaired by Amit Shah, who said all MLAs backed a single name. Soon after, Adhikari met the Governor to stake his claim to form the government.

Once a key strategist for the Trinamool Congress, Adhikari joined the BJP in 2020 and quickly emerged as its dominant face in the state. His rise was propelled by high-profile contests against Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, including a symbolic win in her stronghold.

Party leaders have credited his organizational network, insider knowledge of the TMC and an aggressive campaign style for his ascent. In Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam secured recognition as an official political party after crossing 50 lakh votes in its debut Assembly election—an unprecedented entry for a first-time contestant, according to the party’s positioning of the result.

Founder and actor Vijay held strong leads in both Perambur and Trichy East constituencies. The outcome signaled that voters may be receptive to a credible third alternative beyond the DMK–AIADMK rivalry. Vijay’s campaign defied convention: he avoided media interviews and held fewer public events than Chief Minister M.

K. Stalin and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami. On the final day, he blew a whistle—his party symbol—and told supporters, “Give me one thing I ask—your vote—and I will give you all you ask for five years.” His political trajectory has drawn comparisons with M.

G. Ramachandran, even as his on-screen persona has differed sharply from the late icon’s. Separately, Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam on Friday extended support to the AIADMK, urging Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to invite AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K.

Palaniswami to form the government and be sworn in as chief minister. AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran said in a letter that the party’s sole MLA-elect, Kamaraj S, backs the stance. Taken together, the BJP’s breakthrough in West Bengal and the churn in Tamil Nadu underscore a shifting political landscape in two of India’s most politically consequential states.