Who is Suvendu Adhikari? The Man Who Turned the Tables in Bengal

Suvendu Adhikari is the name currently dominating Bengal’s political conversation. The BJP leader defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, his second consecutive victory over a sitting Chief Minister. With the BJP reportedly winning 206 of West Bengal's 293 seats, Adhikari now stands as the frontrunner for the Bengal CM post. His journey from grassroots organiser to giant-slayer is one of Indian politics' most compelling arcs.

Who is Suvendu Adhikari?

Born on December 15, 1970, in Karkuli village in Purba Medinipur, Adhikari comes from one of coastal Bengal's most influential political families. His father Sisir Adhikari is a former Minister of State in the Manmohan Singh government, and brothers Dibyendu and Soumendu are also active in politics. The family has dominated Purba Medinipur for decades.

How Did He Build His Political Career?

Adhikari began in 1995 as a Congress councillor in Kanthi Municipality before joining the TMC in 1998. He entered the Assembly in 2006, defeated CPI(M) strongman Lakshman Seth from Tamluk in 2009, retained the seat in 2014, then quit Parliament to serve as Transport Minister under Mamata Banerjee.

What Role Did He Play in the Nandigram Agitation?

Adhikari was Mamata's most dependable field commander during the 2007 Nandigram agitation, marshalling TMC workers and villagers against the Left Front's land acquisition drive. He extended the TMC's organisational reach across Jangalmahal districts including Bankura, Purulia, and Paschim Medinipur, becoming indispensable to the party's south Bengal operation.

Why Did He Split With Mamata Banerjee?

When Mamata appointed nephew Abhishek Banerjee as the party's de facto second-in-command, a position Adhikari held by default, the relationship collapsed. In December 2020, he joined the BJP. According to The Indian Express, he told an associate, “I will make Mamata Banerjee a former Chief Minister of Bengal.”

How Did He Defeat Mamata Banerjee Twice?

In 2021, Adhikari defeated Mamata in Nandigram. In 2026, he repeated it in Bhabanipur, her home turf, by over 15,000 votes. Defeating a sitting CM twice across two elections and two constituencies is virtually unprecedented in Indian politics.

What Controversies Has He Faced?

According to his 2026 election affidavit, Adhikari has 25 criminal cases registered against him, most filed after his 2020 defection. He has denied allegations linked to the Saradha chit fund scam, calling them politically motivated.

Is He Bengal's Next Chief Minister?

With Samik Bhattacharya and Agnimitra Paul also in contention, the BJP's legislative party meeting will make the final call. But Adhikari's twin victories make him Bengal's most consequential political figure heading into the state's next chapter.

(With inputs from yMedia)