New Delhi (India) May 9: During the oath taking ceremony of the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took blessings of Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the senior-most workers of BJP in the State. 

Emotional Moment At Oath Ceremony

PM Modi had an emotional meeting with the Sarkar as he touched the latter's feet as a gesture of reverence.

"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. During the swearing in ceremony in Kolkata, had the opportunity to meet Shri Makhanlal Sarkar Ji. A devout nationalist, he worked with Dr. Mookerjee and was even arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while accompanying him," Modi posted on social media platform X.

Sarkar’s Decades Of BJP Service

Sarkar, who is considered one of the very few first grassroots workers associated with the nationalist movement post-Independence India, was the first BJP district President of the Siliguri organisational district and travelled to Kashmir along with Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 1952 for hoisting the Indian tricolour and was arrested in Kashmir.

Even at the age of 97, he continues to be a prominent worker. In 1980, Sarkar was appointed organisational in-charge for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts when the party was first formed and recruited close to 10,000 members to the party in just one year.

BJP Workers Cheer For Modi In Kolkata

The Prime Minister reached the State on Saturday to witness the oath-taking ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari. On his arrival, he reached Brigade Parade Grounds along with the Chief Minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari and state president Samik Bhattacharya and took a ride in an open jeep to wave at thousands of BJP workers and supporters who were present to witness the ceremony. 

Modi arrived amid thousands of "Jai Shri Ram" chants and was seen waving at his supporters from an open vehicle. He landed in Kolkata shortly before 10 am and later reached Race Course ground before proceeding to the Brigade Parade Grounds by road from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.