Born again in saffron

Suvendu Adhikari, 55, was declared West Bengal’s next Chief Minister after the BJP secured power in the 2026 Assembly election, ending 34 years of Trinamool rule under Mamata Banerjee. His decisive victory in Banerjee’s stronghold of Bhabanipur—winning by 15,105 votes—solidified his position as the party’s leading candidate, following his earlier triumph in Nandigram by 1,956 votes in 2021. Adhikari’s success marked the first time a Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal became Chief Minister within the same Assembly term, and he also became the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. Adhikari’s political journey began in the late 1980s as a Congress student leader before rising through local elections, becoming a councillor in Kanthi municipality. He entered the State legislature in 2006 and later won a Lok Sabha seat in 2009. His role in the violent Nandigram agitation against land acquisition in 2007, where 14 villagers were killed, made him a key figure in Trinamool’s rise to power in 2011. As Mamata Banerjee’s strategist, he expanded the party’s reach, holding portfolios in Transport and Irrigation in her Cabinet. Joining the BJP in 2021, Adhikari revitalized the party’s presence in West Bengal, where it had struggled with weak organization and infighting. He led a sustained campaign against Banerjee’s Trinamool government, shaping the BJP’s polarizing electoral strategy. His mass appeal and leadership were critical in turning the tide, as he defeated Banerjee in two successive elections, first in Nandigram and later in Bhabanipur. Born into a powerful landed family in Purba Medinipur, Adhikari’s political career spanned decades, from student activism to high-profile roles in state governance. His shift from Trinamool to BJP underscored his ambition and adaptability, culminating in his historic victory. Now, as Chief Minister, he faces the challenge of consolidating the BJP’s gains in a state where Trinamool had long dominated. Adhikari’s rise reflects broader shifts in West Bengal’s political landscape, where his ability to mobilize workers and dictate campaign strategy proved decisive. His background in Trinamool’s grassroots movements and his role in Nandigram gave him credibility beyond traditional BJP strongholds. The 2026 election results cemented his legacy as a leader who bridged regional and national politics.