New Bengal govt’s swearing-in likely on May 9

PTI, May 5, 2026, Kolkata: The BJP is considering May 9 — coinciding with ‘Pochishe Boishakh’ in the Bengali calendar — for the new government’s oath-taking ceremony.

Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the swearing-in.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Jayanti is traditionally celebrated on the 25th day of the Bengali month Boishakh, known as ‘Pochishe Boishakh’.

In 2026, it falls on May 9.

The BJP spent the entire campaign assuring Bengalis that it understood their culture, their language and their soul, and now, by choosing Tagore’s birth anniversary for the swearing-in, it would be an attempt to get a message across.

Though the BJP has not officially confirmed a date yet.

The speculation began with a remark Modi made at his final rally in Barrackpore on April 27 — the last day of campaigning.

“This is my last rally in this election. I’m going back with the confidence that I will definitely attend the BJP’s swearing-in ceremony after the May 4 results. And that only increases my enthusiasm,” Modi had said from an election rally.

Before the first BJP government is installed in the state, outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will formally meet the Governor and offer to resign.

The Governor, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, is expected to ask her to continue as a caretaker Chief Minister until the formation of the new government, thus ensuring administrative continuity.

Besides PM Modi, several high-profile leaders are also expected to attend the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.

Suvendu Adhikari and some other top BJP leaders from Bengal are expected to fly to Delhi on Tuesday to discuss with the central leaders the details about the swearing-in ceremony and distribution of portfolios of Cabinet ministers.