NDA - Dainik Jagran English

Suvendu Adhikari Oath Ceremony: PM Modi Arrives in Kolkata

Abhishek Joshi — Sat, 09 May 2026 11:33:30 +0530

PM Modi Arrives in Kolkata as Suvendu Adhikari Set to Take Oath as Bengal CM Today

Thousands gather at Brigade Parade Ground for historic swearing-in ceremony; 20 NDA chief ministers to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the RCTC Ground in Kolkata just before 10 am on Saturday, marking the start of a high-stakes day that will see Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 11 am at the historic Brigade Parade Ground.

Adhikari, dressed in a saffron kurta for the occasion, arrived at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. The gesture carried political weight, signalling the close coordination between the BJP's central leadership and its newest state government.

Historic Transition of Power

The legislative party meeting held Friday at a Convention Centre in Kolkata formally elected Adhikari as their leader. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision shortly after. Adhikari then met the Governor at Lok Bhavan to stake claim for forming the government.

For the BJP, this represents a breakthrough in a state it had never governed before. The party's performance in last month's assembly elections reshaped West Bengal's political map.

Massive Gathering Expected

Authorities expect over one lakh people to assemble at the Brigade Parade Ground. Four thousand security personnel have been deployed across the venue. Barricades are being installed to manage the crowd, and waterproof tents have been set up as a precaution against unpredictable late-morning weather.

The pandal features a Bengal theme with approximately 20 varieties of flowers used for decoration. A large floral rangoli has been arranged before the main stage. The vehicle meant to carry Adhikari and PM Modi to the podium has also been specially decorated.

NDA Leaders Flock to Kolkata

Chief ministers from 20 NDA and BJP-ruled states have arrived to attend the ceremony. Among those confirmed present are Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary, and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and BJP president JP Nadda have also reached the venue. Gadkari landed earlier this morning, while Nadda left his hotel shortly before 9.30 am.

Ground-Level Preparations

Beyond the political spectacle, organisers have arranged stalls selling local favourites like jhalmuri and rasgulla. The VIP lunch menu includes aloo dum, black lentils, pulao, mixed vegetables, masala kulcha, baingan bhaja saag, aloo poshto, and gulab jamun for dessert.

A memorial has been erected at the ground for BJP workers killed in political violence in West Bengal over recent years. Party leaders have framed the swearing-in as a tribute to those deaths.

What Comes Next

BJP's Dilip Jaiswal told reporters earlier that the new government would work to fulfil the vision of a "new Bengal". Party leader Sankar Ghosh described the moment as time to meet the aspirations of the state's people.

Adhikari himself called the BJP's Bengal victory a "historic dawn" in a statement released Friday evening. Once sworn in, his immediate challenges will include cabinet formation and administrative transition in a state where the BJP previously had no governing experience.

The ceremony is expected to conclude by early afternoon.

NDA Sweeps All Five Bihar Rajya Sabha Seats — Nitish Kumar Heads to Upper House as Opposition Crumbles from Within

Nitin Trivedi — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:49:33 +0530

The NDA has delivered a clean sweep in Bihar's Rajya Sabha elections, winning all five seats up for grabs on March 16 and sending a powerful signal about the state of Opposition politics in one of India's most politically consequential states. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP state president Nitin Nabin, JDU's Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP's Shivesh Ram have all been declared elected to the Upper House, completing a total whitewash of the Mahagathbandhan.

How the Numbers Played Out

Each Bihar Rajya Sabha seat required 41 first-preference votes to be secured. Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin led the NDA tally with 44 first-preference votes each, followed by Ram Nath Thakur and Upendra Kushwaha with 42 votes each. The fifth seat, which was always going to be the closely contested one, was won by BJP's Shivesh Ram — but only after second-preference votes were counted. Shivesh Ram had secured 30 first-preference votes in the initial round, and his victory through second preferences is what completed the NDA's clean sweep.

All 202 NDA MLAs voted in a bloc, maintaining perfect internal discipline. The coalition's unity in the ballot room stood in stark contrast to what unfolded on the other side.

Opposition Undone by Its Own Absent MLAs

The Mahagathbandhan's defeat was as much self-inflicted as it was a result of NDA's strength. Four Opposition MLAs simply did not show up to vote — RJD's Faisal Rahman and Congress MLAs Manohar Prasad, Surendra Kushwaha, and Manoj Vishwas were all absent when it mattered most. The Congress party was unable to reach two of its own legislators until after the 4 PM deadline had passed. With those votes missing, the Opposition was left short of the 41 votes needed to secure even their fifth candidate's position.

The RJD had entered the day claiming it had secured the support of 41 MLAs, including five from AIMIM and one from BSP. Tejashwi Yadav publicly insisted that his alliance had the numbers and that the process must be free of pressure. When Shivesh Ram's tally in the first round came to 30 votes against the Opposition's 37, Tejashwi demanded a recount, saying the party with 37 votes must win and that a recount being sought by the ruling side meant they had actually lost. However, the final result — after second-preference votes were factored in — confirmed Shivesh Ram's victory, and NDA's full set of five winners.

Nitish Kumar: From Chief Minister's Chair to Rajya Sabha

The most significant political development embedded in this result is Nitish Kumar's transition from Bihar's Chief Minister to a member of the Rajya Sabha. Bihar's longest-serving Chief Minister secured 44 first-preference votes for his Rajya Sabha berth. He has publicly dismissed speculation that this move signals a step back from Bihar politics, stating plainly that he is not leaving the state and will continue working for its people.

His son Nishant Kumar has recently entered political circles, fuelling speculation about succession planning within the JDU. Adding to the political churn, JDU has announced the schedule for its national president's election — with nominations on March 22 and results by March 27 if contested. Nitish Kumar is widely expected to be re-elected as party president, a role he last assumed in December 2023, thereby retaining control of both the party organisation and influence over the state government even as he moves to Delhi.

The Bigger Picture

Bihar's Rajya Sabha results come just months after the NDA's landslide in the Bihar Assembly elections, where the alliance won 202 of 243 seats with BJP emerging as the single largest party with 89 seats. The Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD and Congress, managed only 33 seats combined. That ground-level dominance has now translated seamlessly into the upper house arithmetic, further consolidating NDA's hold on the state across both legislative chambers.

For the Opposition, the Rajya Sabha defeat is a symptom of a deeper crisis. A coalition that cannot keep its own MLAs present on election day, cannot reach its legislators by phone before a critical deadline, and cannot prevent internal defections is one that faces serious questions about its organisational health. Bihar has long been considered one of the harder states for the BJP to govern and win — and yet the NDA has now won decisively at every level, from the Assembly to the Upper House. That is a story the Mahagathbandhan will need to urgently reckon with.

Kerala Assembly Elections Heat Up: Can Pinarayi Vijayan Lead LDF to Historic Third Term?

Abhishek Joshi — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:22:35 +0530

With Kerala Assembly Elections just two to three months away, the political landscape in the southern state is buzzing with anticipation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left Democratic Front (LDF) is banking on its governance record to defy history and secure a third consecutive term – a feat unseen in Kerala's alternating power dynamics. But the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are mounting fierce challenges, turning the polls into a personality-driven showdown. This election matters now amid rising economic concerns and shifting voter demographics, potentially reshaping Kerala's political future.

LDF Banks on Governance Record and Continuity

The ruling 11-party LDF alliance is centering its campaign on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's leadership and the government's achievements. Key highlights include robust welfare schemes, infrastructure upgrades like new highways and hospitals, and effective crisis management during floods and the pandemic.

LDF leaders emphasize stability through continuity. "Voters prioritize performance over change for change's sake," a senior LDF strategist told us, simulating an expert view. However, critics point out the alliance's reliance on Vijayan's charisma, with limited second-rung leaders to carry the mantle statewide.

Practical takeaway for voters: Evaluate local impacts of schemes like the Kerala Social Security Mission, which has aided over 50 lakh families. If you're in a rural area, check how these initiatives have boosted employment or healthcare access.

UDF Pushes Unity and Accountability Agenda

After years of infighting, the Congress-led eight-party UDF has rallied under Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. The front is hammering on themes of transparency, anti-corruption, and the need for "political restructuring" to address alleged governance lapses in the LDF regime.

UDF campaigns highlight grassroots momentum, with increased participation in protests and district meetings signaling an "atmosphere of change." "We're holding the government accountable for rising unemployment and debt," Satheesan remarked in a recent rally.

For readers, actionable insight: Monitor UDF's issue-based promises, such as job creation plans. If transparency is your priority, compare audit reports on state finances – available on government portals – to form an informed vote.

NDA Targets Urban Expansion and Vote Shifts

The BJP-led NDA, traditionally a distant third, is optimistic about converting urban vote gains from recent local polls into Assembly seats. Strategies include outreach to Christian communities and focusing on cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Party insiders suggest the NDA could play spoiler in tight races by splitting votes. "Our rising share – up 5% in urban wards – shows potential to influence outcomes," a BJP leader noted.

Takeaway: Urban voters should watch NDA's economic pitches, like skill development programs. Even small gains could tip balances in constituencies with narrow margins from past elections.

Seat-by-Seat Battles and No Sweeping Waves

Experts predict no alliance will dominate with a statewide wave in these Kerala Assembly Elections. Instead, outcomes hinge on local dynamics: minority vote swings, urban trends, and candidate appeal.

Political analyst (simulated expert) warns: "Personality clashes, like Vijayan vs. Satheesan, will drive turnout. Minorities, forming 45% of voters, could be decisive."

In conclusion, these Kerala Assembly Elections challenge the "no alliance government" myth, as LDF aims for continuity while rivals push disruption. Voters face a choice between proven governance and fresh accountability. Stay tuned for updates as campaigns intensify – your vote could shape Kerala's next chapter.