Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal’s opposition leader, has surged ahead as the frontrunner for chief minister after the BJP’s historic assembly poll triumph on Monday. The party clinched 206 of 293 seats, ending Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) dominance with 81 seats.
Adhikari sealed his credentials by defeating Banerjee twice in her home turf—first in Nandigram (2021, by 1,956 votes) and now in Bhabanipur (15,105 votes). He also won Nandigram against TMC’s Pabitra Kar by 9,665 votes. “This is a historic victory of Hindutva, Bengal, and Modiji,” Adhikari declared, waving his certificate at Kolkata’s counting center.
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A former TMC minister who defected to BJP in 2020 amid 300 cases from the TMC government, Adhikari campaigned aggressively. Union Home Minister Amit Shah backed him during nomination, predicting a statewide rout. BJP insiders credit his charisma, especially fielding him in two seats—a rare move.
Other contenders include state chief Samik Bhattacharya, who led the poll win and sits in Rajya Sabha, and vice-president Agnimitra Paul, victor in Asansol Dakshin and ex-MP. Paul appeals as a potential woman CM face.
Adhikari shaped BJP’s strategy, urging focus on Bengal’s 70.54% Hindu voters over the 27% Muslim bloc decisive in 120 seats. Despite fielding nine Muslim candidates (none won), BJP triumphed in Muslim-heavy areas like Malda and Murshidabad.
A legislators’ meeting looms in Kolkata, with an observer expected soon to pick the legislature party leader—and CM. “The ball is rolling for BJP government,” a leader said.
