The Key Reasons Why Suvendu Adhikari Emerged As BJP’s West Bengal CM Choice

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 21:59 IST

One of the defining factors behind Suvendu Adhikari’s rise within the BJP was his direct political battle against Mamata Banerjee

Suvendu Adhikari has been elected leader of the BJP legislative party and is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday. Dilip Ghosh became his proposer. The decision was taken unanimously by BJP legislators, reflecting both organisational confidence and his political rise as the party’s most prominent face in Bengal.

Addressing party workers and supporters after the decision, Adhikari said, “Our leader Narendra Modi has given several guarantees, and the Bharatiya Janata Party government will work to fulfil every one of them. We do not believe in mere words; the Bharatiya Janata Party believes in delivering through action. We speak less and work more. Today, I assure you that in the coming days, our government and organisation will remain committed to the ideology of the party and to the cultural spirit of West Bengal. We will fulfil every promise made in our manifesto within the stipulated time."

Suvendu Adhikari, Giant Killer

One of the defining factors behind Suvendu Adhikari’s rise within the BJP was his direct political battle against Mamata Banerjee. In Bengal politics, he came to be seen by supporters as a “giant killer" after taking on Mamata Banerjee in her own political strongholds.

The first major turning point came in the 2021 assembly election in Nandigram, where Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in one of the most closely watched electoral contests in the country. The victory carried symbolic significance because Nandigram had long been associated with the political movement that helped propel Banerjee to power in Bengal.

Party supporters also point to his subsequent political challenge to Banerjee in Bhabanipur, considered one of her strongest political bases. Within the BJP narrative, these back-to-back confrontations established Adhikari as the only Bengal leader capable of directly confronting Mamata Banerjee electorally and politically on her home turf.

Stood By Workers In Bad Times

Inside the BJP organisation, Adhikari also built an image of a leader who stood firmly beside party workers during difficult periods. Following the 2021 elections, when many BJP workers allegedly faced violence, displacement, and security threats in several districts, he maintained regular contact with cadres, visited affected areas, and coordinated organisational support. Many within the party view that period as critical in strengthening his grassroots acceptability. Sources said he also made people understand that this was “the last fight for Hindus in Bengal“.

Unitedly Worked With The Team

The BJP’s 2026 campaign in Bengal was marked by coordinated leadership involving Samik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar, and Dilip Ghosh alongside Adhikari. Party leaders credit this collective effort for consolidating the BJP organisation across the state.

Adhikari also spearheaded the BJP’s ideological campaign in Bengal, repeatedly raising issues such as border infiltration, illegal immigration, demographic change, and developments in neighbouring Bangladesh. BJP leaders argued that these issues were central to Bengal’s security, identity, and political future, themes that became a major part of the party’s outreach during the election campaign.

Within the BJP, Suvendu Adhikari is now seen not only as an organisational strategist but also as the leader who directly challenged and defeated Mamata Banerjee politically in Bengal’s most symbolic battlegrounds.

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