CALCUTTA, India Communist party of India-Marxist leader Buddhadev Bhattacharya was sworn in Monday as chief minister of West Bengal, the Indian state's first new leader in 24 years, AFP said.
Bhattacharya replaces 87-year-old Jyoti Basu, who headed the world's longest-running elected communist government since 1977.
Basu stepped down Friday citing health reasons.
Bhattacharya was a deputy chief minister in the state for the past several months and will take over the communist-led coalition government.
West Bengal Governor Viren Shah also renewed the oaths of office of all 43 provincial ministers.
Bhattacharya acknowledged he faced an uphill task in West Bengal, where industrial growth has been at a virtual standstill and unemployment has spiralled.
"I know that there are difficult times ahead of us. We have to think jointly and work jointly to pass the hurdles and fulfill the aspirations of the people," he said.
"I think that it would not be impossible for us to achieve our targets as the people are with us," said Bhattacharya, dubbed by opponents Bengal's "police minister" because of the stern laws he implemented when he was the state's interior minister.