Who is Suvendu Adhikari? From Mamata’s trusted Lieutenant to BJP’s Bengal strongman - Know qualification, family, and more
West Bengal new CM: Suvendu Adhikari will be the first BJP leader to hold the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal. In the 2026 state elections, the BJP won 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 80 seats after ruling the state for 15 years.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsWest Bengal new CM: Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday, was elected as the Leader of the West Bengal BJP Legislative Party and is set to become the new Chief Minister of the state. He is set to take the oath tomorrow on the day that marks the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Adhikari also met with newly elected MLAs of the party and other BJP leaders today.
He will be the first BJP leader to hold the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal. Adhikari contested from Nandigram and Bhabhanipur, beating outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from her stronghold in Bhabanipur by a margin of over 15,000 votes.
Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the name of Adhikari as the party's leader after chairing a party meeting in Kolkata.
Who is Suvendu Adhikari? Check family history and qualification
Born on 15 December 1970 in Karkuli, West Bengal, Adhikari comes from a prominent political family. His father, Sisir Adhikari, has also been an influential politician.
Meanwhile, Adhikari (55) has a Master of Arts (MA) degree from Rabindra Bharati University.
Suvendu Adhikari's political career
Adhikari started his political career with the Congress and was first elected as a councillor in the Kanthi Municipality in 1995. He reportedly joined All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998 and was later elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from the Kanthi Dakshin constituency in 2006.
A year later, in 2007, Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram. Following this, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Tamluk constituency in 2009.
In the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections, the over three-decade-long rule of the Left Front in the state came to an end, with Mamata Banerjee coming to power.
After the TMC secured a second consecutive victory in the 2016 Assembly elections, Adhikari was inducted into the state cabinet and was given charge of the transport portfolio.
However, differences later emerged between the TMC and Adhikari. According to reports, he had disagreements with Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee.
In December 2020, Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP.
In the 2021 state elections, Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in the Nandigram Assembly constituency. He then served as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Adhikari first earned the tag of ‘giant‑killer’ in the 2021 state elections after defeating Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram.
West Bengal election 2026
In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP won 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 80 seats after ruling the state for 15 years.
(with ANI inputs)
Also Read: West Bengal BJP CM name out: Suvendu Adhikari to become BJP's first Chief Minister