BJP's Suvendu Adhikari has been sworn in as the chief minister of West Bengal, marking the beginning of a new political era for the state.

Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Suvendu at a grand ceremony held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Grounds in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and senior BJP leaders.

BJP legislators Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik and Kshudiram Tudu were also sworn in as state ministers.

Earlier in the day, Adhikari described the occasion as the fulfilment of the "dreams of our founding fathers."

Suvendu was elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal on Friday, paving the way for him to become the first BJP chief minister of the state. The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the presence of newly elected BJP MLAs and senior party leaders.

Thousands of BJP supporters from across the country and abroad, including from north Bengal and neighbouring states such as Jharkhand, poured into Kolkata on Saturday to witness the ceremony.

Groups of supporters carrying BJP flags and saffron banners gathered at different points across the city since morning before moving towards the venue.

The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state.

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At least 34 people, including two babies were killed when a contraband fuel depot exploded into flames in southern Benin near the border with Nigeria on Saturday.

According to Beninese Interior Minister Alassane Seidou, “a serious fire occurred in the town of Seme Podji. Another 20 people were seriously wounded in the incident.”

"I can't really give you the cause of the fire, but there is a large gasoline warehouse here and cars, tricycles and motorcycles come from morning to evening,” he added.

Nigeria is a main oil and gas producer where fuel smuggling is very common along its borders, particularly when the government maintains a subsidy to keep fuel prices low.

The majority of the victims were burnt and they could not be not be identified.

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