Suvendu's political journey: From Trinamool leader to BJP-backed CM

Ending the nearly 15-year reign of the Trinamool Congress, and following extensive speculation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has revealed the identity of the new Chief Minister of West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari will serve as the first Chief Minister backed by the BJP in the state. Amit Shah made the announcement regarding Adhikari's appointment during a meeting with the elected MLAs of the BJP in Kolkata on Friday afternoon, May 8.

Suvendu Adhikari was previously a close ally of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal's political landscape and was a prominent figure in the 'change' movement. He played a crucial role in the shift of power in 2011 by spearheading the Nandigram movement.

Entry into political life

Adhikari's political journey commenced primarily with the Congress party in the mid-1990s. Growing up in a politically active environment, thanks to his father, Shishir Adhikari, a seasoned politician, he became involved in politics during his student years. He began his political career through the Congress's student wing, Chhatra Parishad. In 1995, he achieved his first electoral victory as a Congress councilor in the Kanthi Municipality elections.

Following the formation of the Trinamool Congress in 1998, he and his family departed from the Congress to join Mamata Banerjee. In 2006, he was first elected as an MLA from the Kanthi South constituency. Subsequently, he was elected as an MP from the Tamluk constituency and also held the position of Transport Minister in the state government.

A pivotal moment in Adhikari's political career was the Nandigram land eviction resistance movement, which positioned him as one of the key leaders in the Trinamool's ascent to power. In 2020, he transitioned to the BJP and has been serving as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly since 2021.

The beginning of Suvendu's success in politics

The emergence and ascent of Suvendu Adhikari's prominence in West Bengal politics were primarily attributed to his organizational strength in Purba Medinipur and the Nandigram movement during his tenure with the Trinamool Congress.

Adhikari first became an MLA by securing victory in the Dakshin Kanthi constituency during the 2006 assembly elections. The year 2007 marked a significant turning point, as Adhikari gained widespread recognition throughout the state. The principal member of the Adhikari family emerged as the prominent figure of the Nandigram movement.

On November 25, 2007, the CPM faced allegations regarding an attack on Trinamool workers in Nandigram. During this period, the Adhikari family played a crucial role in the counter-programme.

Subsequently, in the 2008 panchayat elections, the Trinamool Congress triumphed over the CPM and seized control of the Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad under Suvendu's leadership. That same year, Mamata Banerjee succeeded Madan Mitra and appointed Subhendu Adhikari as the president of Juba Trinamool.

In 2009, Suvendu Adhikari was elected as an MP for the first time from Tamluk, defeating his former adversary Laxman Seth. Additionally, he took over the chairmanship of Kanthi Municipality from his father. The year 2011 brought a shift in power within West Bengal, as the Trinamool Congress ousted the Left from governance.

The influence of the Adhikari family in Medinipur grew significantly. In 2014, as anticipated, Adhikari won the Kanthi Tamluk constituency in East Medinipur. However, turmoil ensued shortly thereafter. Mamata unexpectedly dismissed Suvendu from his position as Yuva Trinamool president, appointing Soumitra Khan in his place.

Concurrently, a rival organization named 'Yuba' was established under the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee. During this time, reports of 'Suvendu's discontent' with the upper echelons of the party leadership surfaced.

Tensions with Trinamool

The conflict between Suvendu Adhikari and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is among the most discussed topics in West Bengal politics, having solidified in late 2020 and continuing to this day. In 2016, this individual from the Adhikari family was elected as an MLA from Nandigram and secured a position in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet.

However, following the Trinamool's disappointing performance in the West Medinipur district during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Suvendu was dismissed from his role as observer. Furthermore, in August 2020, he was also removed from his position within the Trinamool's state government workers' organization.

In addition to this, he lost his role as district observer, a position he held for several districts at that time. It is noteworthy that Suvendu Adhikari's father, Shishir Adhikari, was a long-serving Trinamool MP from Kanthi, but after Suvendu's departure from the party, the relationship between the Trinamool and the Adhikari family became distinctly strained.

Transitioning from Trinamool to BJP

Adhikari departed from the Trinamool Congress in December 2020 to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant event in the political landscape of West Bengal. This decision represented a considerable blow to the Trinamool ahead of the 2021 assembly elections.

On November 26, Suvendu resigned from his position as Chairman of the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners. The following day, he stepped down as State Transport Minister. Subsequently, on 16 December, he also resigned from his role as a Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly (MLA).

On December 17, he resigned from the primary membership of the Trinamool Congress and the next day, hee formally joined the BJP at a public meeting in Midnapore in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. There were indications that Adhikari might leave the party due to disagreements with the top leadership of Trinamool, especially the rise of Abhishek Banerjee. Then, in 2021, Adhikari won the assembly elections again from Nandigram. This time, he made his name in the history books by defeating Mamata Banerjee.

He later became the leader of the opposition and gradually became one of the main 'faces' of the state BJP.

Adhikari was ahead in the fight for the Chief Ministership

In light of the outcomes of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and based on information from the BJP's inner circle, several key factors contribute to Adhikari's position as the leading candidate for the Chief Ministership.

Following his victory over Mamata Banerjee in the Bhavanipur assembly constituency and Nandigram in 2021, Adhikari has once again emerged as one of the BJP's 'heroes' in 2026. He is recognized for his close relationship with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and enjoys acceptance both within the party and among the public. His popularity has been evident since he transitioned from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP, where he is regarded as a Trinamool leader with significant administrative experience. Furthermore, as the leader of the opposition party to the BJP in the state, he has consistently engaged in a vigorous political battle against the Trinamool.

By transcending various factional disputes within the party, he has played a crucial role in organizing the BJP under the guidance of the party's central leadership.

Essentially, Adhikari was the preferred candidate for the BJP's Chief Minister position due to his established track record as Mamata Banerjee's primary adversary and his organizational capabilities within the party.

Despite having spent a considerable portion of his political career with the Trinamool, he is now a pivotal figure in the ideological and political endeavors of the BJP. His firm stance against the ruling party and his organizational strength render him an unparalleled and essential figure in the realm of opposition politics.