Politics – Suvendu Adhikari Chosen as Bengal BJP’s First Chief Minister
Politics – Suvendu Adhikari’s rise in West Bengal politics has been marked by dramatic shifts, fierce political battles, and a steady climb from regional influence to statewide prominence. Once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest associates in the Trinamool Congress, Adhikari has now become the Bharatiya Janata Party’s most influential face in the state after being selected as the BJP legislature party leader and the party’s first chief minister in West Bengal.
Early Political Roots in East Midnapore
Coming from the politically influential Adhikari family of Kanthi in East Midnapore district, Suvendu Adhikari entered public life through the Congress student wing, Chhatra Parishad. His family held significant influence in the region for decades. His father, Sisir Adhikari, served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament and was also part of the Union government as Minister of State for Rural Development during the UPA era.
Suvendu Adhikari later became closely associated with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress during the politically charged land acquisition protests in Nandigram between 2006 and 2007. His role in the agitation helped him emerge as a powerful grassroots organiser and a key figure within the party.
Growing Distance Within Trinamool Congress
Over time, differences between Adhikari and the Trinamool Congress leadership became increasingly visible. Political observers often linked the growing divide to the expanding role of Abhishek Banerjee within the organisation, especially after he took charge of the party’s youth wing.
Adhikari eventually resigned from the Trinamool Congress and stepped down from his ministerial responsibilities in December 2020, months before the crucial 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. His move created major political ripples across the state and strengthened the BJP’s position ahead of the polls.
Emergence as BJP’s Strongest Bengal Face
After joining the BJP, Adhikari quickly established himself as the party’s most vocal critic of the Mamata Banerjee government. His political stature increased significantly when he defeated Mamata Banerjee in the closely watched Nandigram Assembly contest in 2021.
The victory was widely viewed as one of the most symbolic moments in recent Bengal politics. Adhikari continued to expand his political influence and later secured another major win in Bhabanipur, a constituency long regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee’s strongest bases. Reports stated that he won the seat by a margin exceeding 15,000 votes while also retaining his hold over Nandigram.
Aggressive Opposition Politics
Although the BJP could not secure power in the 2021 Assembly elections and finished with 77 seats, Adhikari emerged as the central opposition figure inside the Assembly and on the streets.
As Leader of the Opposition, he frequently targeted the ruling Trinamool Congress government over allegations linked to corruption, violence, unemployment, and law-and-order concerns. He also played a visible role during protests connected to the 2023 panchayat elections and later became one of the prominent BJP leaders campaigning around the Sandeshkhali controversy in 2024.
His confrontational political approach often led to tense exchanges with the ruling party. Several BJP legislators, including Adhikari, faced repeated suspensions from the Assembly during heated confrontations between the opposition and the government.
BJP Leadership Decision in Kolkata
At a meeting held in Kolkata and chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP legislators formally selected the 56-year-old leader to head the legislature party. The decision also cleared the path for him to become the first chief minister from the BJP in West Bengal.
The announcement marks a major political moment in the state’s history, reflecting the BJP’s growing organisational presence and Adhikari’s transformation from a regional Trinamool strategist into one of the most influential opposition leaders in Bengal politics.