Kolkata, May 5, 2026 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured a historic victory in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections,
is set to form its new government with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9. The date has been chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, reflecting the state’s rich cultural and political heritage.
The date was confirmed by state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who stated that the new Chief Minister of West Bengal will take the oath of office on that day.
Earlier, during his final campaign rally in Barrackpore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted at the timeline, expressing confidence that he would return to attend the swearing-in ceremony following the election results announced on May 4.
Addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters after the landmark victory, Modi invoked the ideals of Rabindranath Tagore, emphasizing a vision of a fearless and progressive Bengal. He said the BJP aims to build a state where people can live with dignity and without fear, echoing the spirit of Tagore’s philosophy.
Meanwhile, preparations for the formal transition of power are underway. Senior officials from the Election Commission, including Principal Secretary S B Joshi and Secretary Sujit Kumar Mishra, are expected to arrive in Kolkata from New Delhi to hand over the ოფიციcial gazette notification of the election results to Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
The Chief Electoral Officer is scheduled to brief Governor R N Ravi on May 6. Following constitutional procedures, the Governor is expected to ask outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to submit her resignation. She may also be requested to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is sworn in, ensuring administrative continuity.
The choice of May 9, known as the 25th of Boishakh in the Bengali calendar, holds deep cultural significance. It marks the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, whose literary and philosophical legacy remains central to Bengali identity.
The formation of a BJP-led government brings an end to decades of rule by left parties and the Trinamool Congress, signaling a major turning point in West Bengal’s political history.
