Suvendu Adhikari’s political ascent mirrors the dramatic transformation of West Bengal’s political landscape over the past two decades.
Once a prominent Trinamool Congress strategist during the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, he has now emerged as the first Chief Minister of a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Bengal since Independence.
The Nandigram agitation of 2007 became a decisive turning point against the CPI(M)-led Left Front regime.
While Mamata Banerjee spearheaded the Singur protest, Adhikari managed the intense resistance in Nandigram against the proposed Salim Group chemical hub project.
Despite administrative pressure and political hostility, he united villagers and sustained the agitation.
The March 14 police firing, which claimed 14 lives, intensified statewide outrage and accelerated the Left Front’s decline.
Adhikari later secured a massive electoral victory from Tamluk in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and strengthened his position within the Trinamool Congress.
In 2016, he entered the West Bengal Cabinet as Transport Minister and introduced several modernisation measures, including electric buses.
Differences with the Trinamool leadership surfaced after 2019, particularly over organisational control and administrative influence.
Ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, Adhikari joined the BJP in the presence of HM Amit Shah.
Contesting from Nandigram, Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee and later became Leader of the Opposition. He subsequently led statewide campaigns on corruption, Sandeshkhali violence, and the RG Kar Medical College case.
Simultaneously, Adhikari consolidated the BJP’s organisation across East Midnapore.
In the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP secured 207 seats, reducing the Trinamool Congress to 80.
Adhikari won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, defeating Mamata Banerjee again.
On Friday, Amit Shah formally endorsed him as the BJP Legislature Party leader and Bengal’s next Chief Minister.
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