Suvendu Adhikari to Become West Bengal Chief Minister

Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to become the next chief minister of West Bengal. The BJP announced on Friday that he would be sworn in on Saturday following the party's victory in the state assembly elections. The BJP secured 207 of the state's 294 assembly seats in Monday's vote counting.

The result ends the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by outgoing chief minister Mamata Banerjee and marks the first time the BJP has gained power in the state. Adhikari was once a close aide to Banerjee until their falling out several years ago.

He had helped organize protests in Nandigram in 2007 against a proposed land acquisition project, which weakened the then-ruling Left Front government and contributed to the TMC's rise to power in 2011. Born in 1970 in Purba Medinipur district into a prominent political family, Adhikari began his career with the Congress party before joining the TMC.

His father Sisir Adhikari was a veteran member of parliament, and several relatives have held elected office in coastal areas of the state. In 2016, Adhikari was embroiled in a controversy involving a sting operation in which several TMC leaders were filmed allegedly accepting cash.

Videos appeared to show him taking money in his office, though he denied the allegations and questioned the authenticity of the footage. Adhikari defected to the BJP in 2020 ahead of the 2021 state election. Contesting from Nandigram, he defeated Banerjee in that constituency.

The BJP lost the overall election at the time, but his win raised his profile within the party. In the 2026 election, the BJP not only won a majority but also defeated Banerjee in her stronghold of Bhabanipur. Adhikari contested against her there while retaining his Nandigram seat.

The transition occurs amid reports of post-election violence. On Wednesday, a close aide and personal assistant to Adhikari was shot dead. Police said unidentified assailants opened fire near the aide's home. West Bengal has struggled to attract large-scale private investment compared with some other Indian states.

Unemployment, particularly among young people, remains a major issue that the BJP highlighted during its campaign. The state has seen increasing polarization between the BJP and the TMC, often accompanied by allegations of intimidation and election-related violence.

Adhikari will take office facing pressure to address economic concerns while governing a politically divided state.

Adhikari has faced criticism for remarks made during past election campaigns. In 2021, the Election Commission issued a notice to him over a speech in which he allegedly referred to an opponent as "Begum" and suggested voting for her meant voting for a "mini-Pakistan".

Last year, he made a statement that the BJP would "physically throw Muslim MLAs out of the assembly" if it came to power in 2026. The comment led to accusations of hate speech, a privilege motion and his suspension from the assembly. He has also drawn condemnation for comments alleging that medicines distributed at a TMC-run medical camp could lead to "birth control" and reduce the Hindu population.

Adhikari has denied many of the characterizations of his statements. Adhikari's supporters view him as an effective organizer with strong local roots. Critics describe him as a polarizing figure whose rhetoric has contributed to divisions in the state.