‘No stone unturned to fulfil his vision’: PM Modi remembers Syama Prasad Mookerjee as BJP takes power in Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invoked Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee as the BJP formally assumed power in West Bengal for the first time, describing the moment as a fulfilment of a long-held ideological vision for the state.

In a post on X shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Bengal government, the prime minister said the occasion naturally reminded BJP workers of Mookerjee’s “everlasting contribution” to both the nation and West Bengal.

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“Today, as the first ever BJP Government takes oath in West Bengal, it is natural for all of us to remember Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and his everlasting contribution to the nation and West Bengal in particular. No stone will be left unturned to fulfil his vision,” the Prime Minister wrote.

In his post, PM Modi also wrote about his meeting with veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony and praised his decades-long contribution to the party.

“A devout nationalist, he worked with Dr. Mookerjee and was even arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while accompanying him,” he said.

“He dedicated his life to our Party, expanding its base across West Bengal, inspiring people from all walks of life to join the Party. We in the BJP are proud that we have such motivating figures who have worked among the people and strengthened our Party,” the Prime Minister added.

The saffron party has repeatedly invoked Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s legacy during its Bengal campaigns, positioning him as a symbol of Bengali pride and nationalist politics.

Also read: PM Modi felicitates BJP veteran worker Makhanlal Sarkar during swearing-in ceremony in West Bengal

The BJP scripted history on Saturday as senior party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds, bringing an end to 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule under Mamata Banerjee. Five other party leaders - Agnimitra Paul, Dilip Ghosh, Ashok Kirtania, Khudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik - were also sworn in as Cabinet ministers.

The grand ceremony, held on Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, drew top BJP leaders from across the country, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and chief ministers from several BJP-ruled states. Alongside Adhikari, several prominent Bengal BJP leaders, including Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul, were sworn in as ministers in the new cabinet.

In another post, the prime minister wrote, "9th May 2026 shall be etched in history as a day of profound significance. This date will endure in memory as one that carried the weight of destiny and the promise of a new chapter of hope, dignity and good governance. At the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, the BJP Government took oath. I, along with several others were privileged to have witnessed this historic occasion."

He congratulated Adhikari on taking the oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, saying "He has established his identity as a leader closely connected with the people. He has come to know their hopes and aspirations very closely. I extend my heartiest best wishes to him for a successful tenure in the future."

He also congratulated Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik for taking oath as ministers of the newly formed West Bengal government. He noted that these leaders have tirelessly worked at the grassroots level and served the people. PM Modi further affirmed confidence that they will strengthen West Bengal's journey of development.