NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday bowed before the people of West Bengal with folded hands in a gesture of gratitude as the BJP welcomed its first-ever government in the state. The swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari was held at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of several senior NDA leaders and thousands of BJP supporters.PM Modi waved at the cheering crowd from the stage before slowly kneeling down and bowing with folded hands as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Bengal. Adhikari and members of the new cabinet stood beside the Prime Minister during the moment.Adhikari took oath as Bengal’s first BJP chief minister after the party secured a historic victory in the Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state.The Prime Minister also shared an emotional moment with 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar during the ceremony.PM Modi also hugged Sarkar and touched his feet as a mark of respect. Sarkar, a resident of Siliguri, is considered one of the seniormost BJP leaders in West Bengal and had worked closely with Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the party’s early years.
