Ahead of West Bengal CM swearing-in, PM Modi honours Rabindranath Tagore on his 165th birth anniversary
The Statesman | 10 May 2026
Kolkata’s historic Brigade Parade Ground became the centre of major political activity on the day of Rabindranath Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the venue in the morning and greeted people gathered there by waving at them. He was accompanied by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
Both leaders paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore at the site. The same ground is also set to host the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal.
Suvendu Adhikari, who has been elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party in West Bengal, is scheduled to take oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister later in the day. His selection follows the BJP’s victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
The Brigade Parade Ground has been prepared for the official ceremony where the new government will be sworn in.
Party leaders and workers have gathered in large numbers for the event.
On Friday, after Suvendu Adhikari was chosen as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party, several party leaders extended their wishes. The decision came after the party secured a majority in the state Assembly.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said that the state would move towards development under Adhikari’s leadership. He said that many people contributed to the party’s success and expressed confidence in the new leadership.
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul also spoke after the announcement. She said Adhikari had been selected unanimously by 207 BJP MLAs. She noted that he had been active in politics for the last five years and had taken part in work both inside and outside the Assembly.
She also said that all 207 MLAs would need to remain active and work continuously in the coming years. According to her, the expectation was to achieve progress in the next five years that, in her words, the state had not seen in the last fifty years.