Suvendu Adhikari defeats Mamata again, emerges as Bengal CM frontrunner

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee for the second consecutive time, this time from Bhabanipur, firmly positioning himself as a frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal.

Once seen as Mamata Banerjee’s trusted lieutenant and a key architect of the Trinamool Congress’s rise, Adhikari’s latest victory underscores both personal vindication and a larger political realignment in the state. Over five years after defeating her in Nandigram, he has now bettered her on her home turf, adding symbolic weight to the BJP’s landslide win.

Adhikari’s political journey is deeply rooted in grassroots mobilization. During the 2006 Nandigram agitation — a turning point in Bengal politics — he played a central role in organizing resistance against land acquisition, standing shoulder to shoulder with Mamata Banerjee as the TMC challenged the Left Front’s dominance.

Born into the influential Adhikari family of Contai in Purba Medinipur, Suvendu entered politics early, beginning with the Congress before joining the TMC around 2000. Alongside his father Sisir Adhikari and brothers Dibyendu and Soumendu, he helped build a formidable political base in the region, consistently delivering electoral victories.

His organizational strength became a pillar of the TMC’s expansion, particularly in South Bengal and the Jangalmahal belt, where he was entrusted with key responsibilities. Adhikari rose rapidly — from MLA in 2006 to Member of Parliament in 2009 and 2014, and later a minister in Mamata Banerjee’s government in 2016.

However, his equation with the TMC leadership soured following the rise of Abhishek Banerjee within the party. Feeling sidelined, Adhikari distanced himself and eventually made a high-profile switch to the BJP in 2021, launching sharp attacks against the TMC leadership.

Despite the BJP’s defeat in 2021 and the subsequent organizational setbacks, Adhikari remained a central figure in rebuilding the party’s base. Travelling across districts, he worked to consolidate cadres and re-establish the BJP’s presence, particularly in regions affected by post-poll violence.

His persistence appears to have paid off in 2026, with the BJP securing a dominant mandate. Party insiders credit Adhikari’s leadership and ground-level connect as critical factors in the turnaround.

With two high-profile victories over Mamata Banerjee and a strong organizational grip, Adhikari has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the top post, signaling not just a personal triumph but a decisive shift in West Bengal’s political landscape.