Suvendu Adhikari has become a central figure in the West Bengal political battle. Suvendu Adhikari now leads the BJP’s challenge against Mamata Banerjee in one of the most watched contests of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Adhikari began his political career in 1998 with the Trinamool Congress. He worked closely with Mamata Banerjee and helped expand the party’s influence in several districts. His rise in the party remained steady, and voters elected him as an MLA in 2006.
Later, political differences pushed him to leave the TMC. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and quickly emerged as a strong opposition leader in the state.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, he created a major political moment by defeating Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram. The victory boosted his image as a key BJP leader in West Bengal.
Now, the 2026 election has revived their intense rivalry. The contest reflects the larger political battle between the BJP and the TMC in the state.
