West Bengal: Who is Suvendu Adhikari, the Chief Minister Dethroning Mamata Banerjee from Her Stronghold?
Image source, Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
A long-time protégé of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who ruled the state for years, has now unseated her to become the new Chief Minister.
Until a few years ago, Suvendu Adhikari was considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest aides before their relationship deteriorated.
Recently, Adhikari, who won the state elections as a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday.
This marks the first time that the Hindu nationalist BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has taken power in West Bengal.
On Friday, the BJP selected Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of its legislative party. He took office at a time when West Bengal faces serious economic challenges.
Out of a total 294 seats, the BJP won 207, effectively ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure in power.
Key Strategist
Suvendu Adhikari’s political journey did not begin with the BJP. Born into an influential political family in West Medinipur district in 1990, his career initially started with the Congress Party.
Before joining the Trinamool Congress, seen as an anti-leftist force, he rose through the ranks of the Congress.
Suvendu’s father, Sisir Adhikari, was an experienced politician who established a political network especially in the coastal regions of West Bengal. Many family members hold elected positions.
Modest in demeanor, Suvendu Adhikari quickly became an alternative center of power within the Trinamool Congress due to his organizational skills.
The former Medinipur district is regarded as the stronghold of the Adhikari family. Both Suvendu’s father and brother have won Lok Sabha and Assembly elections on Trinamool Congress tickets.
Image source, Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
According to political analysts, Suvendu was a key architect of the Nandigram movement that brought the Trinamool Congress to power.
After winning from Kanthi South in 2006, he played a pivotal role in 2007 in organizing local residents under the banner of the Land Eviction Resistance Committee against the then Left Front government.
At that time, there was an impending protest against land acquisition for a proposed chemical hub in Nandigram. Influential CPM leader Laxman Seth dominated the area back then.
Suvendu is credited with defeating the powerful Laxman Seth in the ensuing election in that region.
Personal Ambition
Suvendu played a significant role in building the Trinamool Congress’s stronghold in the Junglemahal areas—West Medinipur, Purulia, and Bankura districts.
It is because of him that the BJP has achieved its best-ever results in these regions so far.
Political analysts suggest that personal ambition led Suvendu to leave the Trinamool Congress. He joined the BJP prior to the 2021 elections.
Image source, Chandradeep Kumar / The India Today Group via Getty Images
Opponents allege that Suvendu joined the BJP to escape investigation into multiple corruption allegations, though he denies such claims.
In the past five years, owing to his efforts, the BJP has won many seats in areas considered strongholds of the Trinamool Congress. Suvendu played a crucial role in these gains.
Six years ago, he was the second most senior leader in Mamata Banerjee’s government. Today, he has risen to the top, becoming the Chief Minister.
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