BackPOLITICS
Bengal: Cultural symbolism marks milestone moment in history
BJP's Bengal oath ceremony features a diverse ministerial lineup and Bengali cultural symbolism on Tagore's birth anniversary, with Suvendu bowing to Modi in a moment of shared cordiality. The event also includes tributes to party workers and notes the absence of Muslim representation in the cabinet.
Why It Matters
The ceremony signals BJP's attempt to present a broad, inclusive political front in West Bengal and leverages cultural symbolism to reinforce its governance narrative amid demographic and political shifts.
Timeline
2 Events
Oath ceremony for BJP ministers marks milestone with diverse representation and Tagore symbolism
May 9, 2026
On May 9, 2026, five BJP ministers were sworn in, reflecting diverse social and regional support. Suvendu took oath first and bowed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the oath, lingering briefly in a bent pose as Modi clasped his folded hands and patted Suvendu's back; Suvendu also offered a similar brief gesture to Home Minister Amit Shah amid the line of dignitaries. Dilip Ghosh, a former RSS pracharak and ex-state BJP chief, was the first minister to take oath after Suvendu. The ministers include Suvendu (Brahmin), Dilip Ghosh (OBC), Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nishit Pramanik from Matua, tribal and Rajbonshi communities, and Agnimitra Paul (the lone woman member, Kayastha). The ceremony featured a portrait of Tagore on the dais to honor his birth anniversary. Modi also met family members of BJP members killed in alleged political violence over the decades. The article notes that BJP has no Muslim MLA and the state has no legislative council, making Muslim representation in government unlikely.
Suvendu Adhikari quits TMC to join BJP in Amit Shah's presence
2020
In 2020, Suvendu quit the Trinamool Congress to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, aligning with BJP's strategy against Mamata Banerjee's Bengal government.