At historic Bengal oath ceremony, ‘Pradhan Sevak’ PM Modi bows down in ‘dandwat pranam’ to people

At the historic oath-taking ceremony of the first BJP government in West Bengal on Saturday, one thing stood out – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s humility.

As he walked up to the stage to witness the history in the making, Modi, dressed in his trademark kurta-jacket attire, bowed down before the attendees in a near-dandwat pranam, a gesture seen as one of humility, and respect towards the people for their mandate.

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The Prime Minister humbly acknowledged people’s power in a democracy that has thrived in India since Independence.

Moreover, the gesture was a reflection of Modi’s long-held position of himself as a servant of the people and not the ruler.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has on several occasions referred to himself as “Pradhan Sevak” and not “Pradhan Mantri”.

And in Kolkata today, he truly lived up to that image.

“I bow to West Bengal’s Jana Shakti! The people’s blessings are the truest strength of democracy and the noblest source of public resolve,” PM Modi said on X.

In a similar gesture, Modi had performed the ‘dandwat pranam’ before he entered the Parliament for the first time after winning the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier today, PM Modi also honoured Makhanlal Sarkar, the 98-year-old BJP worker in West Bengal. Before the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari, Modi felicitated Sarkar and took his blessings.

With Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bengal, along with five other ministers, a new chapter has begun in the state’s political journey.

The BJP swept the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 207 of the 293 seats. Election in Falta constituency was scrapped over alleged “severe electoral offences.”

The TMC, which has been ruling the state for the past 15 years, was reduced to just 80 seats, with party supremo Mamata Banerjee also losing her Bhabanipur seat to Suvendu Adhikari.