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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{short description|Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name               =
| name               = Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari
| image             = Suvendu Adhikari May 2026 (cropped).jpg
| image               = File:Suvendu Adhikari (cropped).jpg
| image_size         =  
| image_size = 250px
| caption           = Adhikari in 2026
| caption             =  
| office             = 9th [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]]
| office             = [[List of current Indian opposition leaders|Leader of the Opposition]], [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
| subterm            = '''Cabinet'''
| predecessor        = [[Abdul Mannan (West Bengal politician)|Abdul Mannan]]
| suboffice          = [[Suvendu Adhikari ministry|Adhikari ministry]]
| term_start         = 10 May 2021
| term_start         = 9 May 2026
| constituency        = [[Nandigram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nandigram]]
| term_end          =
| deputy = [[Mihir Goswami]]
| governor          = [[R. N. Ravi]]
| office1             = [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly|Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
| preceded          = [[Mamata Banerjee]]
| term_start1        = 2016
| successor          =
| constituency1      = [[Nandigram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nandigram]]
| office1           = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor1        = [[Firoja Bibi]]
| term_start2        = 19 May 2016
| office3            = [[Department of Transport (West Bengal)|Minister for Transport]], <br />[[Government of West Bengal]]
| term_end2          = 1 December 2020{{efn|He was removed from all the posts of TMC}}
| term_start3         = 27 May 2016
| constituency2      = [[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]]
| term_end3           = 27 November 2020
| predecessor2      = [[Phiroja Bibi]]
| governor3          = [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]<br />[[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]
| successor2        = Himself {{small|''(May 2021)''}}
| 1blankname3        = [[Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]]
| term_start3       = 11 May 2006
| 1namedata3          = [[Mamata Banerjee]]
| term_end3         = 16 May 2009
| predecessor3        = [[Aroop Biswas]]
| constituency3      = [[Kanthi Dakshin Assembly constituency|Contai South]]
| successor3          = [[Mamata Banerjee]]<ref name = r>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-to-keep-transport-portfolio-following-suvendu-adhikaris-resignation-2331328|title=CM Banerjee will take charge of Suvendu's portfolio|newspaper=[[NDTV]]|date=28 November 2020}}</ref>
| predecessor3      = [[Sisir Adhikari]]
| office4             = Minister of Environment, [[Government of West Bengal]]
| successor3        = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]]
| term_start4        = 2018
| constituency1      = [[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]] {{small|''(Until 13 May 2026)''}}, [[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]] {{small|''(From 13 May 2026)''}}
| term_end4          = 2020
| term_start1        = 5 May 2021
| 1blankname4        = [[Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]]
| predecessor1      = Himself {{small|(''December 2020'')(Nandigram)}}, [[Mamata Banerjee]] {{small|(Bhabanipur)}}
| 1namedata4         = [[Mamata Banerjee]]
| office4           = 12th [[List of leaders of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor4        = [[Sovan Chatterjee]]
| governor4         = [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]<br />[[La. Ganesan]] ''(additional charge)''<br />[[C. V. Ananda Bose]]<br />R. N. Ravi
| successor4          = [[Mamata Banerjee]]<ref name =r/>
| deputy4            = [[Mihir Goswami]]
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| predecessor4       = [[Abdul Mannan (West Bengal politician)|Abdul Mannan]]
| term_start5        = 16 May 2009
| successor4        = [[Ritabrata Banerjee]]
| term_end5          = 19 May 2016
| term_start4        = 13 May 2021
| constituency5       = [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk]]
| term_end4         = 9 May 2026
| predecessor5        = [[Lakshman Chandra Seth]]
| office5            = [[Jute Corporation of India|Chairman of the Jute Corporation of India]]
| successor5         = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]]
| 1blankname5       = [[Ministry of Textiles|Union Textiles Minister]]
| office6            = [[Jute Corporation of India|Chairperson of Jute Corporation of India]]
| 1namedata5        = [[Smriti Irani]]
| predecessor6       = Ajay Kumar Jolly
| predecessor5      = Ajay Kumar Jolly
| term_start6        = 31
| term_start5        = 31 December 2020<ref>{{Cite news|last=Podder|first=Debasish|date=31 December 2020|title=জুট কর্পোরেশন অফ ইন্ডিয়ার চেয়ারম্যান হচ্ছেন শুভেন্দু অধিকারী, নতুন বছরেই নিয়োগ|url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/kolkata/suvendu-adhikari-will-appointed-as-the-chairman-of-jute-corporation-of-india-in-the-new-year-31609419893893.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231131434/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/kolkata/suvendu-adhikari-will-appointed-as-the-chairman-of-jute-corporation-of-india-in-the-new-year-31609419893893.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|work=Hindustan Times|language=bn}}</ref>
December 2020<ref>{{Cite news|last=Podder|first=Debasish|date=31 December 2020|title=জুট কর্পোরেশন অফ ইন্ডিয়ার চেয়ারম্যান হচ্ছেন শুভেন্দু অধিকারী, নতুন বছরেই নিয়োগ|url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/kolkata/suvendu-adhikari-will-appointed-as-the-chairman-of-jute-corporation-of-india-in-the-new-year-31609419893893.html|access-date=31 December 2020|work=Hindustantimes Bangla|language=bn}}</ref>
| term_end5          = 2 March 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari likely to step down as Chairperson of Jute Corporation of India |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikari-likely-to-step-down-as-chairperson-of-jute-corporation-of-india20210302170152/ |work=ANI News |date=2 March 2021 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>
| term_end6          = 2 March 2021<ref>[https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikari-likely-to-step-down-as-chairperson-of-jute-corporation-of-india20210302170152]</ref>
| office7            = [[Second Banerjee ministry|Cabinet Minister in West Bengal]]
| term_start7        =  
| term_start7       = 27 May 2016
| term_end7          =  
| term_end7          = 27 November 2020
| constituency7       =  
| 1blankname7        = Chief Minister
| predecessor7       =  
| 1namedata7         = Mamata Banerjee
| successor7         =  
| 2blankname7        = Departments
| birth_place         = [[Contai]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| 2namedata7        = * Irrigation and Waterways
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1970|12|15|df=y}}
* [[Department of Transport (West Bengal)|Transport]]
| spouse             =  
* Environment
| party               = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] {{small|(2020-present)}}
| predecessor7       = [[Aroop Biswas]] (Transport)<br />[[Sovan Chatterjee]] (Environment)
| residence          = [[Contai]], [[Purba Medinipur District|Purba Medinipur]], [[West Bengal]]
| successor7        = [[Firhad Hakim]] (Transport)<br />[[Mamata Banerjee]] (Environment)
| alma_mater         = [[Rabindra Bharati University]] ([[M.A]])<br />[[Prabhat Kumar College|Contai P. K. College]] ([[B.A]])
| office8            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| profession          = [[Politician]]
| term_start8       = 16 May 2009
| father             = [[Sisir Adhikari]]
| term_end8         = 20 May 2016
| relatives           = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]] (brother)
| constituency8      = [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk, West Bengal]]
| website             =
| predecessor8      = [[Lakshman Chandra Seth]]
| footnotes          =  
| successor8         = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]]
| otherparty         = * [[Indian National Congress]] {{small|(1995-1998)}}
| office9            = [[Councillor]] of [[Contai|Kanthi Municipality]]
* [[All India Trinamool Congress]] {{small|(1998-2020)}}
| term_start9        = 1995
| term_end9          = 2000
| office10          = Committee Member in [[Parliament of India]]
| term10            = 2009–2014 and 2014–2016
| 1blankname10      = Member of
| 1namedata10        = * Standing Committee on Industry (2009–2014)
* Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (2014–2016)
* Consultative Committee, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (2014–2016)
| birth_place        = [[Purba Medinipur|Contai]], [[West Bengal]], India
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1970|12|15|df=y}}
| spouse             =  
| party             = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] {{small|(since 2020)}}
| other_party        = * [[Trinamool Congress|All India Trinamool Congress]] {{small|(2000–2020)}}
* [[Indian National Congress]] {{small|(1995–2000)}}
| alma_mater         = [[Rabindra Bharati University]] ([[Master of Arts|M.A]])<ref>{{cite news |title= Suvendu Adhikar's Affidavit 2026 |url=https://suvidha.eci.gov.in/ac/public/uploads2/acaffidavit/E32/2026/AC/S25/210/S25_10940_3519_202604060137411775462861.pdf }}</ref>
| occupation        = {{hlist|[[Politician]]|businessman|social worker}}
| father             = [[Sisir Adhikari]]
| mother            = Gayatri Adhikari
| relatives         = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]] (brother)<br />[[Soumendu Adhikari]] (brother)
| website           =  
| signature         = Signature of Suvendu Adhikari (English).png
}}
}}


'''Suvendu Adhikari''' (born 15 December 1970)<ref>{{Cite web|title=FPJ Explains: Who was Subhendu Adhikari, the Bengal minister whose 'dissent' is threatening Mamata's regime?|url=https://m.freepressjournal.in/article/india/fpj-explains-who-is-subhendu-adhikari-the-bengal-minister-whose-dissent-is-threatening-mamatas-regime/c06b5a33-feeb-4e95-a01a-fbf3de98bfb2|access-date=2020-11-09|website=m.freepressjournal.in}}</ref> is an Indian politician from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] who is the current Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from 10 May 2021. He is a member of the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] from Nandigram since May 2021 having defeated his opponent incumbent Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] (who had to fight bye election to remain chief minister).<ref name=HT_1/> He previously served as the Minister of Transport, Irrigation and Water resource in [[Government of West Bengal|West Bengal]]. He was a [[Member of Parliament|member]] of the [[15th Lok Sabha]] and the [[16th Lok Sabha]] (2014-2016), as an [[All India Trinamool Congress]] candidate, from [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-46116.html| title = Thumbnail sketches of ministers of state | access-date = 2009-06-20 | publisher = new Kerala.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
'''Suvendu Adhikari''' ({{Transliteration|bn|ISO|Śubhēndu Adhikārī}}, {{IPA|bn|ʃubʱend̪u od̪ʱikaɾi}}; born 15 December 1970) is an Indian politician who is serving as the ninth [[chief minister of West Bengal]] since 9 May 2026. He is the first chief minister of West Bengal belonging to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SHdz2IOP8zE |title=Suvendu Adhikari Takes Oath As West Bengal's First BJP Chief Minister Since Independence |language=en |access-date=9 May 2026 |via=[[YouTube]]|date=9 May 2026|last=[[Republic TV]]}}</ref><ref name="Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/suvendu-adhikari-becomes-west-bengals-first-bjp-chief-minister/article70958299.ece |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=The Hindu |date=9 May 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260509174556/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/suvendu-adhikari-becomes-west-bengals-first-bjp-chief-minister/article70958299.ece |archive-date=9 May 2026}}</ref>
| url = http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4501| title = Suvendu Adhikari| access-date = 2009-07-30 | publisher = India Govt.}}</ref>


He is the son of [[Sisir Adhikari]], former Union Minister of State for Rural Development in the [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of India|Manmohan Singh government]].<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Had-no-work-say-former-TMC-ministers-in-UPA-govt/Article1-934333.aspx Had no work, say former TMC ministers in UPA govt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026230610/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Had-no-work-say-former-TMC-ministers-in-UPA-govt/Article1-934333.aspx |date=26 October 2012 }} ''hindustantimes.com''. Retrieved 11 November 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://westbengalelectionresult.com/suvendu-adhikari-profilecontact-blogs-news-address/469 | title = Suvendu Adhikari -Profile | access-date = 2009-06-20 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101029035522/http://westbengalelectionresult.com/suvendu-adhikari-profilecontact-blogs-news-address/469 | archive-date = 29 October 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
He also served as [[List of leaders of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly|leader of the Opposition]] from 2021 to 2026. Adhikari previously worked in the state ministry for the [[Government of West Bengal|West Bengal government]] from 2016 to 2020. He was elected [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|Member of Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) for [[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]] in 2016, 2021 and 2026, and simultaneously from [[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]] in 2026. Previously he was elected from [[Kanthi Dakshin]] in 2005, and [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency|Tamluk]] in 2009, and 2014.<ref name="HT_1" />


Credited as the man who galvanised the people of [[Nandigram]] under the umbrella of the [[Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee]], when rumours of land acquisition for a chemical hub had triggered a movement, Adhikari was a member of the Legislative Assembly from [[Contai]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://blogs.thehindu.com/elections2009/?p=2618 | title = Like father, like son| access-date = 2009-07-30 | last =Dutta | first =Indrani | publisher = The Hindu, 5 May 2009.}}</ref> He defeated [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)’s]] strongman [[Lakshman Chandra Seth|Lakshman Seth]] by a margin of 1,72,958 votes.<ref name="SA">{{cite web| url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nandigram-swings-two-seats-in-east-midnapore/461025/ | title = Nandigram swings two seats in East Midnapore in Trinamool's favour| access-date = 2009-07-30 | publisher = Indian Express 17 May 2009}}</ref> He resigned from the primary membership of [[All India Trinamool Congress]] and joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in presence of Home Minister [[Amit Shah]] on 19 December 2020. He won the Nandigram assembly seat against TMC's supremo and  [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]] [[Mamata Banerjee]] in 2021 by a margin of 1956 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-02|title=Nandigram: After Hours of Confusion, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Emerges Winner|url=https://thewire.in/politics/nandigram-election-bengal-mamata-banerjee-suvendu-adhikari|work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|access-date=2021-05-02|website=results.eci.gov.in|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503202328/https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nandigram Election Result 2021 LIVE: Nandigram MLA Election Result & Vote Share|url=https://www.oneindia.com/nandigram-assembly-elections-wb-210/|work=Oneindia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nandigram Assembly Election Results 2021 LIVE - Nandigram Vidhan Sabha Election Results|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/nandigram-west-bengal-election-result-2021|work=Times Now}}</ref>.
He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 2016 to 2020, Irrigation and Water resource from 2018 to 2020 in the Government of West Bengal. He was also a member of [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk]] from 2009 to 2016 and the chairperson of [[Jute Corporation of India]] from 2020 to 2021. He was a member of the [[Trinamool Congress]] from 1998 to 2020 and [[Indian National Congress]] from 1995 to 1998. He is the son of [[Sisir Adhikari]], Member of Parliament and former Union Minister of State for Rural Development in the [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of India|Manmohan Singh government]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Ravik |title=Had no work, say former TMC ministers in UPA govt |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/had-no-work-say-former-tmc-ministers-in-upa-govt/story-u42OCyo4PuSXfNtPwjP3hO.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://westbengalelectionresult.com/suvendu-adhikari-profilecontact-blogs-news-address/469 | title = Suvendu Adhikari -Profile | access-date = 20 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101029035522/http://westbengalelectionresult.com/suvendu-adhikari-profilecontact-blogs-news-address/469 | archive-date = 29 October 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|access-date=2 May 2021|website=results.eci.gov.in|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503202328/https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nandigram Election Result 2021 LIVE: Nandigram MLA Election Result & Vote Share – Oneindia |url=https://www.oneindia.com/nandigram-assembly-elections-wb-210/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=OneIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Nandigram Assembly Election Results 2021 LIVE – Nandigram Vidhan Sabha Election Results|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/nandigram-west-bengal-election-result-2021|work=Times Now|access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Early life and education==
Adhikari was born on 15 December 1970 to [[Sisir Adhikari]] and Gayatri Adhikari at Karkuli in [[Purba Medinipur district]] in [[West Bengal]]. Sisir Adhikari is a politician, and former [[Minister of State]] in [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry]] and was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Kanthi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kanthi constituency]] in 2019.<ref name="LS">{{cite web |title=Adhikari, Shri Suvendu |url=https://sansad.in/ls/members/biographyM/4501 |publisher=Lok Sabha |access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="AN">{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Kajari |date=31 March 2018 |title=Nandigram: Trinamool's stronghold, one family's stranglehold |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/west-bengal-polls-nandigram-subhendu-adhikari |work=Asianet Newsable |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref> Adhikari is unmarried.<ref>{{cite news |title=ভাইরা বিয়ে করলেও অকৃতদার তিনি, জানুন কেমন শুভেন্দুর সংসার |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/elections/west-bengal-assembly-elections/story/former-wb-minister-suvendu-adhikary-explained-why-he-unmarried-255166-2020-12-16 |access-date=28 May 2023 |work=Aaj Tak বাংলা |date=16 December 2020 |language=bn}}</ref>


Adhikari was born on 15 December 1970 to [[Sisir Adhikari]] and Gayatri Adhikari at Karkuli in [[Purba Medinipur district]] in [[West Bengal]]. Sisir Adhikari is a politician, and former [[Minister of State]] in [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry]] and was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Kanthi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kanthi constituency]] in 2019.<ref name="LS">{{cite web |title=Suvendu Adhikari |url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4501 |publisher=Lok Sabha |access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref><ref name="AN">{{cite web |title=Nandigram: Trinamool's stronghold, one family's stranglehold |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/judge-loya-death-supreme-court-dismisses-probe-into-the-death-p7fdmb |publisher=Asia Net News |access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref>
Adhikari received a [[Master of Arts]] degree in [[Environmental studies]] from [[Rabindra Bharati University]] in the year 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title= Suvendu Adhikar's Affidavit 2026 |url=https://suvidha.eci.gov.in/ac/public/uploads2/acaffidavit/E32/2026/AC/S25/210/S25_10940_3519_202604060137411775462861.pdf |work=[[Election Commission of India]] |access-date=25 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="ToI">{{cite news |last= Banerjee|first= Tamaghna|date=10 May 2026|title=I'm CM for all says Suvendu Adhikari|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/im-cm-for-all-says-suvendu-adhikari-shuts-up-jai-shri-ram-chant/articleshow/130984964.cms|newspaper=Times of India|access-date= 10 May 2026}}</ref>


One of Suvendu's brothers, Soumendu, is the chairman of the [[Kanthi]] municipal corporation.<ref name="AN"/> [[Dibyendu Adhikari]], elected to Lok Sabha in 2019 from [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk constituency]], is also his brother.  
==Early political career==
===Entry into politics and initial years ===
Adhikari was first elected as a councillor from [[Indian National Congress]] in the [[Contai|Kanthi]] Municipality in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The importance of being Suvendu Adhikari: Why the TMC strongman is miffed with the party leadership|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/the-importance-of-being-suvendu-adhikari-why-the-tmc-strongman-is-miffed-with-the-party-leadership/684054|access-date=17 December 2020|work=Times Now|date=19 November 2020}}</ref> In 2006, Adhikari was elected to the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] from [[Kanthi Dakshin]] constituency. He also became the Chairman of Kanthi Municipality in the same year.<ref name="LS"/>


Adhikari received a [[Master of Arts]] degree from [[Netaji Subhas Open University]].<ref name="LS"/>
===Nandigram movement and rise within Trinamool Congress===
[[File:Suvendu_Adhikari.jpg|thumb|Adhikari in Nandigram Sitananda College|364x364px]]
In 2007, Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land acquisition movement in the [[Nandigram]]. He led the [[Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee]]. The ruling [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] government in West Bengal planned to acquire 10,000 acres of land in the village to set up a [[special economic zone]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Arindam |title=Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mamata-promises-to-marry-off-raped-girls-of-nandigram/story-umlmKryBUWdkP6re98mV2L.html |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=26 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="ET">{{cite news |title=Trinamool Congress confident of victory in Nandigram |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/trinamool-congress-confident-of-victory-in-nandigram/articleshow/52103488.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=4 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=From Nandigram to Murshidabad – Suvendu Adhikari is Mamata Banerjee's all weather man |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/from-nandigram-to-murshidabad-suvendu-adhikari-is-mamata-banerjee-s-all-weather-man/story-kNqePhKEQzC9SE9BpPs34M.html |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=26 August 2019}}</ref> This movement catapulted [[Mamata Banerjee]] to the centre-stage of Bengali politics.<ref name="HT"/> The state [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|CID]] alleged that Adhikari had supplied arms to the Maoists to wage an armed movement against the state government.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Roy |first1=Anirban |title=CID to question Trinamool's Adhikari on Maoist links |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/cid-to-question-trinamools-adhikari-on-maoist-links-78841-2010-07-17 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=17 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trinamool MP accused of supplying ammo to Naxalites |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/east/story/trinamool-mp-accused-of-supplying-ammo-to-naxalites-78780-2010-07-16 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=16 July 2010}}</ref>


==Political career==                                                                                                                                                     
After Adhikari's success in Nandigram, Banerjee made him the party's observer (in-charge) of the [[Jungle Mahals|Jangal Mahal]] i.e. [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]], [[Purulia district|Purulia]] and [[Bankura district|Bankura]] districts. He was successful in expanding the party's base in these districts.<ref name="HT"/> In 2009, he was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] from the [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk constituency]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Contai, it's family first for Trinamool's Sisir Adhikary |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/in-contai-it-s-family-first-for-trinamool-s-sisir-adhikary/537544/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=5 November 2009}}</ref> He defeated his nearest rival [[Lakshman Chandra Seth|Lakshman Seth]] of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] by a margin of approximately 173,000 votes.<ref name="SA">{{cite web |date=17 May 2009 |title=Nandigram swings two seats in East Midnapore in Trinamool's favour |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nandigram-swings-two-seats-in-east-midnapore/461025/ |access-date=30 July 2009 |publisher=Indian Express 17 May 2009}}</ref>
Adhikari was first elected as a councillor from [[Indian National Congress]] in the [[Contai|Contai Municipality]] in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The importance of being Suvendu Adhikari: Why the TMC strongman is miffed with the party leadership|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/the-importance-of-being-suvendu-adhikari-why-the-tmc-strongman-is-miffed-with-the-party-leadership/684054|access-date=2020-12-17|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref> In 2006, Adhikari was elected to the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] from [[Kanthi Dakshin]] constituency. He also became the chairman of [[Kanthi]] Municipal Corporation in the same year.<ref name="LS"/>


In 2007, Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land-acquisition movement in the [[Nandigram]]. He led the [[Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee]]. The ruling [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] government in West Bengal planned to acquire 10,000 acres of land in the village to set up a [[special economic zone]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Arindam |title=Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mamata-promises-to-marry-off-raped-girls-of-nandigram/story-umlmKryBUWdkP6re98mV2L.html |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=26 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="ET">{{cite news |title=Trinamool Congress confident of victory in Nandigram |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/trinamool-congress-confident-of-victory-in-nandigram/articleshow/52103488.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=4 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=From Nandigram to Murshidabad - Suvendu Adhikari is Mamata Banerjee's all weather man |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/from-nandigram-to-murshidabad-suvendu-adhikari-is-mamata-banerjee-s-all-weather-man/story-kNqePhKEQzC9SE9BpPs34M.html |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=26 August 2019}}</ref> This movement catapulted [[Mamata Banerjee]] to the centre-stage of Bengali politics.<ref name="HT"/> The state [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|CID]] alleged that Adhikari had supplied arms to the Maoists to wage an armed movement against the state government.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Roy |first1=Anirban |title=CID to question Trinamool's Adhikari on Maoist links |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/cid-to-question-trinamools-adhikari-on-maoist-links-78841-2010-07-17 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=17 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trinamool MP accused of supplying ammo to Naxalites |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/east/story/trinamool-mp-accused-of-supplying-ammo-to-naxalites-78780-2010-07-16 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=16 July 2010}}</ref>
In the [[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]], Adhikari was pitted against Abdul Kadir Sheikh of the Left Front – [[Indian National Congress]] alliance in Nandigram constituency.<ref name="ET"/> After getting elected, he resigned as an MP from Tamluk constituency.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dibyendu Adhikari to contest from Tamluk parliament constituency |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dibyendu-adhikari-tamluk-parliament-constituency-tmc-mamata-banerjee-347066-2016-10-17 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=30 April 2019 |date=17 October 2016}}</ref> He was sworn in as the Minister of Transport in the [[Second Mamata Banerjee ministry]] on 27 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=List of Ministers in Mamata's cabinet |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/list-of-ministers-in-mamatas-cabinet/article8654872.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=30 April 2019 |date=27 May 2016}}</ref>


After Adhikari's success in Nandigram, Banerjee made him the party's observer (in-charge) of the [[Jungle Mahals|Jangal Mahal]] i.e. [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]], [[Purulia]] and [[Bankura]] districts. He was successful in expanding the party's base in these districts.<ref name="HT"/> In 2009, he was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] from the [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tamluk constituency]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Contai, it's family first for Trinamool's Sisir Adhikary |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/in-contai-it-s-family-first-for-trinamool-s-sisir-adhikary/537544/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=5 November 2009}}</ref> He defeated his nearest rival [[Lakshman Chandra Seth|Lakshman Seth]] of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] by a margin of approximately 173,000 votes.<ref name="SA"/>
===Entry into Bharatiya Janata Party and 2021 elections===
Adhikari stepped down from the post of chairman of [[Hooghly River Bridge Commission]] (HRBC), a statutory body under the Government of West Bengal on 26 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-mla-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-transport-irrigation-minister-1744603-2020-11-27 |title=TMC's Suvendu Adhikari steps down as Bengal minister a day after resigning as Hooghly commission chairman |publisher=India Today |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> He also resigned as West Bengal Transport Minister on 27 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/west-bengal-tmc-rebel-leader-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-as-transport-minister-in-mamata-govt/687503 |title=West Bengal: TMC rebel leader Suvendu Adhikari resigns as Transport Minister from Mamata govt |publisher=Times Now |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> He had tendered his resignation to the speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly as MLA on 16 December 2020 which was not accepted by the speaker initially on grounds of technicality. However, it was eventually accepted on 21 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanyal |first=Anindita |date=16 December 2020 |title=Trinamool's Suvendu Adhikari Quits As MLA Amid Reports He Will Join BJP |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-dissident-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-as-mla-amid-reports-he-will-switch-to-bjp-2339450 |work=NDTV |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> On 17 December 2020 he resigned from  the primary membership of All India Trinamool Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Didi aide Suvendu Adhikari exits TMC, sparks a spate of resignations |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/didi-aide-suvendu-adhikari-exits-tmc-sparks-a-spate-of-resignations/articleshow/79787773.cms |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=18 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Phadikar |first=Anshuman |date=6 July 2021 |title= Suvendu Adhikari meets victims of post-poll violence in East Midnapore |url= https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/suvendu-adhikari-meets-victims-of-post-poll-violence-in-east-midnapore/cid/1821357 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>


In the [[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]], Adhikari was pitted against Abdul Kadir Sheikh of the Left Front - [[Indian National Congress]] alliance in Nandigram constituency.<ref name="ET"/> After getting elected, he resigned as an MP from Tamluk constituency.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dibyendu Adhikari to contest from Tamluk parliament constituency |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dibyendu-adhikari-tamluk-parliament-constituency-tmc-mamata-banerjee-347066-2016-10-17 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=30 April 2019 |date=17 October 2016}}</ref> He was sworn in as the Minister of Transport in the [[Second Mamata Banerjee ministry]] on 27 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=List of Ministers in Mamata's cabinet |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/list-of-ministers-in-mamatas-cabinet/article8654872.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=30 April 2019 |date=27 May 2016}}</ref> Adhikari resigned from the post of chairman of [[Hooghly River Bridge Commission]] (HRBC), a statutory body under the Government of West Bengal on 26 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-mla-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-transport-irrigation-minister-1744603-2020-11-27 |title=TMC's Suvendu Adhikari steps down as Bengal minister a day after resigning as Hooghly commission chairman |publisher=India Today |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> He also resigned as West Bengal Transport Minister on 27 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/west-bengal-tmc-rebel-leader-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-as-transport-minister-in-mamata-govt/687503 |title=West Bengal: TMC rebel leader Suvendu Adhikari resigns as Transport Minister from Mamata govt |publisher=Times Now |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> He had tendered his resignation to the speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly as MLA on 16 December 2020 which was not accepted by the speaker initially on grounds of technicality. However, it was eventually accepted on 21 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trinamool's Suvendu Adhikari Quits As MLA Amid Reports He Will Join BJP|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-dissident-suvendu-adhikari-resigns-as-mla-amid-reports-he-will-switch-to-bjp-2339450|access-date=2021-05-05|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> On 17 December 2020 he resigned from the primary membership of All India Trinamool Congress.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/didi-aide-suvendu-adhikari-exits-tmc-sparks-a-spate-of-resignations/articleshow/79787773.cms |title= Didi aide Suvendu Adhikari exits TMC, sparks a spate of resignations|website= The Times Of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Suvendu Adhikari meets victims of post-poll violence in East Midnapore|work= www.telegraphindia.com| url= https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/suvendu-adhikari-meets-victims-of-post-poll-violence-in-east-midnapore/cid/1821357 |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>
On 19 December 2020, he joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in presence of Home Minister [[Amit Shah]].<ref>{{cite news |title=অমিত শাহের হাত ধরে বিজেপিতে যোগদান করলেন শুভেন্দু অধিকারী সহ ৯ জন বিধায়ক |url=https://banglahunt.com/subhendu-join-bjp-with-9-mla/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Bangla Hunt |date=19 December 2020 |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="India Today">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/suvendu-adhikari-joins-bjp-in-presence-of-amit-shah-1751135-2020-12-19 |title=Suvendu Adhikari ends all speculation, joins BJP, delivers jolt to Mamata and TMC |access-date=29 May 2022 |magazine=India Today |date=19 December 2022}}</ref> Adhikari's defection was reportedly caused due his rivalry with Mamata Banerjee's nephew [[Abhishek Banerjee (politician)|Abhishek Banerjee]], who was being groomed as her heir-apparent.<ref>{{Cite news |title=কেউ দল ছেড়েছেন, দলে গুরুত্ব হারিয়েছেন কেউ কেউ! মমতার দাপুটে 'মিডল অর্ডার' ভেঙে পড়ল কি অভিষেকের উত্থানে? |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly-election/how-mamata-banerjees-core-team-weakened-after-abhishek-banerjees-rise-in-tmc-dgtl/cid/1684845 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]]}}</ref> His influence in Trinamool Congress led to further defections, and many of his followers joined the BJP later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2020 |title=Explained: The importance of Suvendu Adhikari, to the TMC and to the BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-importance-of-adhikari-family-in-west-bengal-politics-7076790/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
   
He defeated the sitting chief minister of West Bengal [[Mamata Banerjee]] in [[Nandigram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nandigram assembly seat]] in [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]] by 1,956 votes. Mamata Banerjee has filed an election petition in [[Calcutta High Court]] challenging the verdict of Nandigram.<ref name=HT_1>{{cite news |last1=Manral |first1=Karan |title=Mamata Banerjee challenges Suvendu Adhikari's Nandigram win in Calcutta High Court |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-challenges-suvendu-adhikari-s-nandigram-win-in-calcutta-hc-101623948924307.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=17 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=May 2026}}


===2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election===
== Leader of Opposition in West Bengal (2021–2026) ==
On 19 December 2020, he joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in presence of Home Minister [[Amit Shah]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://banglahunt.com/subhendu-join-bjp-with-9-mla/ |title=Suvendu Adhikari join Bharatiya Janata Party with other 9 MLA |website= Bangla Hunt}}</ref><ref name="India Today">{{cite web| url = https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/suvendu-adhikari-joins-bjp-in-presence-of-amit-shah-1751135-2020-12-19|title = Suvendu Adhikari ends all speculation, joins BJP, delivers jolt to Mamata and TMC | publisher = India Today |access-date = 19 December 2020}}</ref> He defeated the sitting chief minister of West Bengal on Nandigram assembly seat in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mamta Banerjee loses Nandigram|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/mamata-vs-suvendu-all-eyes-on-nandigram-as-counting-underway-in-west-bengal/amp_articleshow/82350838.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> He, with the support of 22 MLAs, was elected as opposition party leader by [[BJP]] after the assembly election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-10|title=Ex-TMC minister Suvendu Adhikari becomes leader of the opposition in Bengal|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/extmc-minister-suvendu-adhikari-becomes-leader-of-the-opposition-in-bengal-101620658519464.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Mamata Banerjee has filed an election petition in [[Calcutta High Court]] challenging the verdict of Nandigram.<ref name=HT_1>{{Cite web|date=17 June 2021|title=Mamata Banerjee challenges Suvendu Adhikari's Nandigram win in Calcutta High Court|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-challenges-suvendu-adhikari-s-nandigram-win-in-calcutta-hc-101623948924307.html|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
[[File:PM intracting with the metro staff & school students as he travels with them in India’s first underwater metro train during the inauguration (3).jpg|thumb|Adhikari with Prime Minister of India [[Narendra Modi]]|300x300px]]
Adhikari served as the Leader of the Opposition in the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] from [[17th West Bengal Assembly|May 2021 until the conclusion of the Assembly term in May 2026]]. He was elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in the legislative assembly on 10 May, and his appointment was announced by then [[Union Minister]] [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=PTI |title=Suvendu Adhikari Elected Opposition Leader In West Bengal Assembly |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/suvendu-adhikari-elected-opposition-leader-in-west-bengal-assembly-2438995 |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=NDTV |date=10 May 2021}}</ref> After defeating the incumbent chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram constituency, his stature rose in the politics of West Bengal.<ref name = "LOP role"/>
 
=== Legislative opposition ===
BJP legislators under his leadership repeatedly protested inside the Assembly over allegations relating to political violence, corruption, law and order, recruitment irregularities, and communal tensions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 May 2026 |title=Suvendu's rise to Bengal's top chair marked by key wins and fierce opposition to Mamata Banerjee |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/west-bengal/suvendus-rise-to-bengals-top-chair-marked-by-key-wins-and-fierce-opposition-to-mamata-banerjee/articleshow/130960105.cms?from=mdr |access-date=23 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why BJP MLAs walked out of West Bengal Assembly for consecutive days |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/03/11/why-bjp-mlas-walked-out-of-west-bengal-assembly-for-consecutive-.html |access-date=23 May 2026 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 February 2024 |title=West Bengal House suspends Suvendu Adhikari, 5 other BJP MLAs over Sandeshkhali unrest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/west-bengal-house-suspends-suvendu-adhikari-5-other-bjp-mlas-over-sandeshkhali-unrest/articleshow/107620596.cms |access-date=23 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> During the 17th assembly, Adhikari along with many other opposition legislators were suspended from Assembly sessions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nag |first=Jayatri |date=18 February 2025 |title=West Bengal Leader of Opposition Adhikari, 3 BJP MLAs suspended for Assembly session due to unruly behaviour |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/west-bengal-leader-of-opposition-adhikari-3-bjp-mlas-suspended-for-assembly-session-due-to-unruly-behaviour/articleshow/118337791.cms?from=mdr |access-date=23 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukherjee |first=Vasudha |title=BJP MLAs suspended from WB Assembly session over Sandeshkhali unrest |url=https://www.business-standard.com/politics/bjp-mlas-suspended-from-wb-assembly-session-over-sandeshkhali-unrest-124021200423_1.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250909124615/https://www.business-standard.com/politics/bjp-mlas-suspended-from-wb-assembly-session-over-sandeshkhali-unrest-124021200423_1.html |archive-date=9 September 2025 |access-date=23 May 2026 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref> His addresses in the Assembly also frequently accused the [[Third Banerjee ministry|Mamata Banerjee-led administration]] of authoritarianism and partisan governance.
 
=== Response to post-poll violence ===
{{further|2021 West Bengal post-poll violence}}After the conclusion of the 2021 elections, large scale violence took place across West Bengal, and numerous BJP workers and volunteers were targeted. During this time, Adhikari emerged as one of the principal opposition voices regarding the incidents of alleged post-poll violence reported from several parts of the state.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2021 |title=Will raise my voice against violence going on in West Bengal, says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/will-raise-my-voice-against-violence-going-on-in-west-bengal-says-bjps-suvendu-adhikari/articleshow/82525410.cms |access-date=23 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2021 |title=Post-poll violence continues in West Bengal even now: Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/post-poll-violence-continues-in-west-bengal-even-now-suvendu-adhikari/articleshow/84483692.cms?from=mdr |access-date=23 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> He also played a significant role in documenting complaints related to the violence and supported legal petitions seeking judicial intervention.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Suvendu Adhikari moves HC over post-poll violence in West Bengal |url=https://www.business-standard.com/politics/suvendu-adhikari-moves-hc-over-post-poll-violence-in-west-bengal-124061000396_1.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118004336/https://www.business-standard.com/politics/suvendu-adhikari-moves-hc-over-post-poll-violence-in-west-bengal-124061000396_1.html |archive-date=18 November 2025 |access-date=23 May 2026 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 June 2024 |title=Suvendu Adhikari moves HC seeking protection for victims of post-poll violence |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/suvendu-adhikari-moves-hc-seeking-protection-for-victims-of-post-poll-violence-567383 |access-date=23 May 2026 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}</ref> Adhikari demanded investigations by central agencies and sought compensation and rehabilitation for affected party workers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2024 |title=TMC 'unleashed terror', 10,000 BJP workers and families living in fear at party offices, safehouses in Bengal, claims BJP's Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/tmc-terror-10000-bjp-workers-families-fear-party-offices-safehouses-bengal-bjp-suvendu-adhikary-9375922/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nag |first=Jayatri |date=6 June 2024 |title=Post-poll violence erupts in West Bengal; BJP workers targeted |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/post-poll-violence-erupts-in-west-bengal-bjp-workers-targeted/articleshow/110773781.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The Calcutta High Court subsequently ordered investigations into several incidents linked to post-poll violence and even constituted a court-monitored process in certain cases.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2021 |title=Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into post-poll murders, rapes in West Bengal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/hc-orders-court-monitored-cbi-sit-probes-into-poll-violence/articleshow/85472540.cms |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 August 2021 |title=Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe into murder, rape cases; forms SIT for other offences |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bengal-post-poll-violence-calcutta-high-court-orders-cbi-probe-into-murder-rape-cases-forms-sit-for-other-offences/articleshow/85450117.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> He led a delegation of the violence affected victims to meet the Governor, however, he was blocked by the state administration.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2024 |title=Suvendu-led delegation of violence victims 'stopped from meeting guv' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/suvendu-led-delegation-of-violence-victims-stopped-from-meeting-guv/articleshow/110979820.cms |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Adhikari organized visits to affected districts and offered relief money for the damages during the violence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2025 |title=Suvendu Adhikari in violence hit Murshidabad, victims' family accepts relief money from him |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/suvendu-adhikari-murshidabad-victims-family-relief-money-9967528/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Suvendu Adhikari visits violence-hit Mothabari after court nod, offers support to affected |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/suvendu-adhikari-visits-violence-hit-mothabari-after-court-nod-offers-support-to-affected-families/cid/2093561 |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]|date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
 
=== Sandeshkhali agitation ===
{{further|Sandeshkhali violence}}
Adhikari has been a major opposition voice concerning the unrest and allegations of atrocities in Sandeshkhali and become became the face of BJP's campaign over the unrest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2024 |title='Complete lawlessness, TMC govt siding with criminals': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Sandeshkhali |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/complete-lawlessness-tmc-govt-siding-with-criminals-bjps-suvendu-adhikari-in-sandeshkhali-9171956/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name = "LOP role">{{Cite web |last=Maiti |first=Subhendu |date=9 May 2026 |title=Once Mamata lieutenant, Suvendu steered BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/09/once-mamata-lieutenant-suvendu-steered-bjps-landslide-victory-in-west-bengal |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2024 |title=Sandeshkhali row brings up Trinamool Congress's unique Bengal problem: Two Adhikaris too many |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/suvendu-adhikari-trinamool-congress-unique-problem-bengal-9178210__trashed/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Through press conferences, Assembly protests, social media campaigns, and visits to affected areas, he consistently highlighted allegations made by local residents; bringing national political attention to Sandeshkhali. He repeatedly attempted to visit the affected region, leading to confrontations with the police and the state administration. On several occasions he was detained while travelling to the area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2024 |title=Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari detained on his way to Sandeshkhali |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/opposition-leader-suvendu-adhikari-detained-on-his-way-to-sandeshkhali/articleshow/107722951.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Suvendu Adhikari, Bengal BJP MLAs Stopped On Way To Violence-Hit Sandeshkhali |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/suvendu-adhikari-bengal-bjp-mlas-stopped-on-way-to-violence-hit-sandeshkhali-5042725 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241204184850/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/suvendu-adhikari-bengal-bjp-mlas-stopped-on-way-to-violence-hit-sandeshkhali-5042725 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> Later, after intervention by the Calcutta High Court, Adhikari was permitted to visit Sandeshkhali. Specifically, he was allowed to visit two areas in Sandeshkhali, namely, Jeliapara and Halderpara.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 February 2024 |title=HC allows Suvendu to visit two spots in Sandeshkhali today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/calcutta-high-court-allows-suvendu-adhikari-and-bjp-mla-sankar-ghosh-to-visit-two-areas-in-sandeshkhali/articleshow/108089312.cms |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> During his visit, he and his fellow legislator Sankar Ghosh met local residents and women protesters who narrated alleged experiences of intimidation and abuse. After the visit, he described the situation as “horrific” and an example of “complete lawlessness”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Situation horrific in Sandeshkhali, there is complete lawlessness: Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/situation-horrific-in-sandeshkhali-there-is-complete-lawlessness-suvendu-adhikari-2902019 |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2024 |title=Situation Horrific In Sandeshkhali, There Is Complete Lawlessness: Suvendu |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/situation-horrific-in-sandeshkhali-there-is-complete-lawlessness-suvendu |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref> Later, he arranged BJP membership drive in Sandeshkhali, and criticised dominance of minorities while urging for "Hindu Unity".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suvendu Adhikari urges for 'Hindu unity' in Sandeshkhali day after CM Mamata Banerjee's visit |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/12/31/suvendu-adhikari-urges-for-hindu-unity-in-sandeshkhali-day-after-cm-mamata-banerjees-visit.html |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>
 
=== 2024 Indian general election ===
Among the BJP leaders in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari emerged as one of the central figures of the party's campaign in [[2024 Indian general election in West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Arkamoy Datta |date=23 May 2024 |title=Why Suvendu Adhikari is BJP's go-to man in Bengal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-suvendu-adhikari-is-bjps-go-to-man-in-bengal-2542966-2024-05-23 |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Adhikari's regional network played an important role in maintaining the BJP's strength in parts of East Midnapore during the election.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Suvendu Adhikari faces challenge to deliver five Lok Sabha seats in undivided Midnapore to Narendra Modi |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-2024/suvendu-adhikari-faces-challenge-to-deliver-five-lok-sabha-seats-in-undivided-midnapore-to-prime-minister-narendra-modi/cid/2021735 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240615150212/https://www.telegraphindia.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-2024/suvendu-adhikari-faces-challenge-to-deliver-five-lok-sabha-seats-in-undivided-midnapore-to-prime-minister-narendra-modi/cid/2021735 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |access-date=24 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2024 |title=Party flag changes, while BJP's Adhikaris put up best bet against TMC to retain family stronghold |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/party-flag-changes-while-bjps-adhikaris-put-up-best-bet-against-tmc-to-retain-family-stronghold/articleshow/110416541.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> According to reports from [[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]], BJP had given Adhikari a “free hand” during the Lok Sabha campaign, and  he had major influence over candidate selection and campaign management in multiple constituencies.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=19 June 2024 |title=Party keeps Suvendu out of campaigning for bypolls |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/party-keeps-suvendu-out-of-campaigning-for-bypolls-1503311384.html |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=4 June 2024 |title=BJP's weak organization led its ministers losing |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bjps-weak-organization-led-its-ministers-losing-1503307010.html |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> However, after the result, the BJP was reduced to 12 seats; 6 less compared to its 2019 performance. Many leaders within the BJP targeted Adhikari's approach, and his interference in the candidate selection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Knives out in Bengal BJP after poll setback, Suvendu Adhikari the target |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bengal-bjp-lok-sabha-polls-results-suvendu-adhikari-tmc-9377238/ |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Dilip Ghosh Speaks Out As BJP's Bengal Setback Prompts Attacks From Within |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabah-results-2024-dilip-ghosh-suvendu-adhikari-bjp-dilip-ghosh-speaks-out-as-bjps-bengal-setback-prompts-attacks-from-within-5841692 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250219132523/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabah-results-2024-dilip-ghosh-suvendu-adhikari-bjp-dilip-ghosh-speaks-out-as-bjps-bengal-setback-prompts-attacks-from-within-5841692 |archive-date=19 February 2025 |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref> Adhikari, however, alleged that electoral irregularities and “false voting” had affected the party's prospects in several constituencies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2024 |title=Role of central forces, false votes ruined BJP's chances: Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/role-of-central-forces-false-votes-ruined-bjps-chances-suvendu/articleshow/110951532.cms |access-date=24 May 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
 
=== Abhaya agitation ===
{{further|2024 Kolkata rape and murder}}
 
=== 2026 elections ===
In [[2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] elections, Suvendu simultaneously contested in both Nandigram as well as [[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]], the seat held by outgoing CM [[Mamata Banerjee]] and won both by a spectacular margin. The last time when an incumbent CM was defeated on their own seat by a person contesting in 2 seats was in [[1967 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|1967]], when [[Ajoy Mukherjee]] of [[Bangla Congress]] defeated the then CM [[Prafulla Chandra Sen]] of the Congress party in his [[Arambagh Assembly constituency|Arambag]] seat while retaining his own [[Tamluk Assembly constituency|Tamluk]] seat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=রাজনৈতিক সন্ন্যাস হয়ে গেল মমতার'! ভবানীপুরে জিতে শুভেন্দু অধিকারী বললেন, 'এই জয় হিন্দুত্বের |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly-election/bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikari-slams-tmc-leader-mamata-banerjee-after-defeated-her-in-bhabanipur-assembly-constituency-dgtl/cid/1684877 |website=Anandabazar Patrika}}</ref>
 
After his 2026 election win, Suvendu Adhikari claimed support came mainly from [[Hindus|Hindu]], [[Buddhists|Buddhist]], [[Jainism|Jain]], and [[Sikhs|Sikh]] voters, not [[Muslims|Muslim]] voters. He said Muslim votes largely went to the opposition, highlighting religious voting patterns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Tirtho |date=5 May 2026 |title='Muslim voters openly…': What Suvendu Adhikari said after defeating Mamata |url=https://www.news9live.com/elections/assembly/muslim-voters-openly-what-suvendu-adhikari-said-after-defeating-mamata-2968328 |access-date=8 May 2026 |website=News9live |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
On the night of 6 May 2026, assailants on bikes shot dead [[Chandranath Rath]] who was Suvendu's personal assistant .<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 May 2026 |title=Top BJP leader's aide shot dead in violence after Indian state election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8pjz7dv7ro |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=BBC}}</ref>
 
== Chief Minister of West Bengal (2026–present) ==
 
{{Main|Suvendu Adhikari ministry}}
 
On 8 May 2026, he was elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party legislative party in West Bengal in the presence of central observer [[Amit Shah]].<ref name="PartyLeader">{{Cite news |date=8 May 2026 |title=BJP elects legislative party leader in West Bengal |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-west-bengal-legislative-party-meeting-2026-0000000/ |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>
[[File:Swearing ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal.jpg|thumb|Swearing ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari]]
Adhikari took the oath as the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]] on 9 May 2026 at the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Brigade Parade Ground]] in [[Kolkata]], becoming the first chief minister from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to hold the office.<ref name="PartyLeader" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 May 2026 |title=West Bengal to get first BJP Chief Minister on May 9 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-bjp-chief-minister-swearing-in/article000000.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 May 2026 |title=West Bengal government formation LIVE: Suvendu Adhikari elected new CM of Bengal, to take oath on May 9 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/west-bengal-government-formation-live-updates-new-cm-to-be-elected-suvendu-adhikari-aide-death-sparks-unrest/article70954007.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
 
Along with Adhikari, five other ministers were sworn in on the same day, and they were allocated their ministries on 11 May 2026. His administration took numerous decisions on the first cabinet meeting held. This included the implementation of the [[Ayushman Bharat]], the flagship healthcare scheme of the Modi government.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2026 |title=Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari unveils Ayushman Bharat rollout: Here's how to apply |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bengal-chief-minister-suvendu-adhikari-unveils-ayushman-bharat-rollout-heres-how-to-apply/cid/2160025 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Additionally, transfer of land in the border areas to the [[Border Security Force]] was also being done by his administration.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2026 |title=West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announces land transfer to BSF for border fencing within 45 days |url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/west-bengal-cm-suvendu-adhikari-announces-land-transfer-to-bsf-for-border-fencing-within-45-days/ |work=[[All India Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Suvendu Adhikari Hands Over Land to BSF for Border Fencing in West Bengal |url=https://dailypioneer.com/news/suvendu-hands-over-land-to-bsf-for-border-fencing-in-west-bengal |access-date=21 May 2026 |website=dailypioneer.com |language=en}}</ref> The age limit for job seekers for government jobs in the state was also increased by five years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 2026 |title=BJP government in West Bengal raises upper age limit for state govt jobs |url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/bjp-government-in-west-bengal-raises-upper-age-limit-for-entry-into-state-govt-jobs/ |work=[[All India Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Sandip |date=11 May 2026 |title=সরকারি চাকরির আবেদনের জন্য বয়সের ঊর্ধ্বসীমা এক লাফে বেড়ে গেল! বড় ঘোষণা মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/west-bengal-new-chief-minister-suvendu-adhikari-declares-age-limit-for-government-services-increases-wb-cm-bjp-government-1178792 |access-date=21 May 2026 |website=ABP Ananda |language=bn}}</ref> The [[Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023|Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita]] was also being implemented across the state by the Adhikari government.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2026 |title=Suvendu Adhikari Govt Pushes For BNS Implementation In West Bengal |url=https://www.ndtv.com/shorts/suvendu-adhikari-govt-pushes-for-bns-implementation-in-west-bengal-1097973 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
* 1995 : Elected as a councillor from [[Indian National Congress]] in the [[Contai|Contai Municipality]]  
=== Legislative Assembly ===
* 2006 : Elected to West Bengal Vidhan Sabha, from [[Kanthi Dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]] as member of AITC .<ref>{{cite news |title=जानिए कौन हैं शुभेंदु अधिकारी, जिन्होंने ममता को दिया जोर का झटका; कभी उनकी सरकार में थे नंबर 2 |url=https://hindi.asianetnews.com/gallery/national-news/know-who-is-suvendu-adhikari-who-resign-as-tmc-mla-west-bengal-kpp-qlfk7c |work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |date=16 December 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
** Resigned mid-term to join Lok Sabha
|+[[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
* 2009 : Elected to Lok Sabha, from [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)]], member of AITC (All India Trinamool Congress)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chowdhury |first1=Santanu |title=Explained: The importance of Suvendu Adhikari — to Trinamool Congress and BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-importance-of-minister-suvendu-adhikari-to-trinamool-bjp-7051063/ |work=The Indian Express |date=27 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
!Year
* 2014 : Elected to Lok Sabha, from [[Tamluk (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
!Constituency
** Resigned mid-term to join Vidhan Sabha
! colspan="2" |Party
* 2016 : Elected to West Bengal Vidhan Sabha, from [[Nandigram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]], member of AITC<ref name="result">{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee Loses To Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, Will Go To Court |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-wins-close-battle-in-nandigram-defeats-suvendu-adhikari-2426442 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref>
!Votes
* 2021 : Elected to West Bengal Vidhan Sabha, from [[Nandigram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]], member of BJP<ref name="result"/>   
!%
!Opponent
! colspan="2" |Opponent
Party
!Opponent
Votes
!%
!Margin
!in %
!Result
|-
|[[2001 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2001]]
|[[Mugberia Assembly constituency|Mugberia]]
|{{Party name with color|All India Trinamool Congress|rowspan=3}}
|'''59,724'''
|'''46.90%'''
|[[Kiranmoy Nanda|Kiran Moy Nanda]]
|{{Party name with color|West Bengal Socialist Party|rowspan=}}
|64,415
|50.58%
| −4,691
| −3.68%
| style="background:#FFB6C1;" | '''Lost'''
|-
|[[2006 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2006]]
|[[Kanthi Dakshin Assembly constituency|Kanthi Dakshin]]  
|'''68,608'''
|'''50.60%'''
|Satyendra Nath Panda
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India|rowspan=2}}


==Controversies==
|60,028
|38.31%
|8,580
|6.30%
| style="background:#90EE90;" |''' Won'''
|-
|[[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2016]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]]
|'''1,34,623'''
|'''67.20%'''
|Abdul Kabir Sekh
|53,393
|26.70%
|81,230
|40.60%
| style="background:#90EE90;" |''' Won'''
|-
|[[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2021]]
|{{Party name with color|Bhartiya Janata Party|rowspan=3}}
|'''1,10,764'''
|'''48.49%'''
|[[Mamata Banerjee]]
|{{Party name with color|All India Trinamool Congress|rowspan=3}}
|1,08,808
|47.64%
|1,956
|0.85%
| style="background:#90EE90;" |''' Won'''
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2026]]
||'''1,27,301'''
|'''50.37%'''
|Pabitra Kar
|1,17,636
|46.55%
|9,665
|3.82%
|style="background:#90EE90;" |''' Won'''
|-
|[[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]]
|'''73,917'''
|'''53.02%'''
|[[Mamata Banerjee]]
|58,812
|42.19%
|15,105
|10.83%
|style="background:#90EE90;" |''' Won'''
|}


Adhikari was interrogated by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] in September 2014 for his alleged role in the [[Saradha Group financial scandal]]. A former employee of the company alleged the company's head Sudipto Sen met Adhikari before fleeing to Kashmir. Adhikari rejected such allegations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saradha scam: CBI grills Trinamool MP Suvendu Adhikari |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/saradha-scam-cbi-grills-trinamool-mp-suvendu-adhikari-20323.html |publisher=India TV |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=24 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Saradha Scam: TMC MP Adhikari says 'his decision to become CBI witness' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/saradha-scam-tmc-mp-adhikari-says-his-decision-to-become-cbi-witness/ |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=25 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="India Today"/><ref>{{Cite web|title= Suvendu Adhikari, other BJP MLAs walk out of Bengal Assembly after an exchange of words with treasury bench|work= www.deccanherald.com|date= 6 July 2021|url= https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/suvendu-adhikari-other-bjp-mlas-walk-out-of-bengal-assembly-after-an-exchange-of-words-with-treasury-bench-1005471.html|access-date= 6 July 2021}}</ref>
=== Lok Sabha ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+[[Lok Sabha]]
!Year
!Constituency
! colspan="2" |Party
!Votes
!%
!Opponent
! colspan="2" |Opponent
Party
!Opponent
Votes
!%
!Margin
!Margin
in %
!Result
|-
|[[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency|Tamluk]]
|{{Party name with color|All India Trinamool Congress|rowspan=3}}
|'''4,49,848'''
|'''43.60%'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Lakshman Chandra Seth]]
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)|rowspan=3}}
|5,07,228
|49.20%
| −57,380
| −5.60%
|style="background:#FFB6C1;" | '''Lost'''
|-
|[[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
|'''6,37,664'''
|'''55.54%'''
|4,64,706
|40.50%
|1,72,958
|15.90%
| style="background:#90EE90;" | '''Won'''
|-
|[[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
|'''7,16,928'''
|'''53.60%'''
|[[Sheikh Ibrahim Ali]]
|4,70,447
|35.20%
|2,46,481
|18.40%
| style="background:#90EE90;" | '''Won'''
|}
 
==Political stances==
===Immigration and the CAA===
Suvendu Adhikari has advocated for stricter measures against [[Illegal immigration to India|illegal immigration]] in West Bengal. On 25 October 2025, he claimed that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party – West Bengal|Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) was not against [[Islam in West Bengal|Indian Muslims]]; rather, they wished to deport [[Rohingya refugees in India|Rohingya Muslim refugees]], whom he called "infiltrators".<ref>{{cite web | title=Press Trust Of India | website=Press Trust Of India | url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/tmc-helping-rohingya-infiltrators-to-settle-in-bengal-suvendu/3035403 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> He has accused the [[Trinamool Congress]] (TMC) government of assisting in the settlement of these refugees using fake documents and facilitating their inclusion in voter lists. He claimed that there were 90 lakh "fake voters" in Bengal.<ref>{{cite web | title=TMC 'helping' Rohingya infiltrators to settle in Bengal: Suvendu | website=Hindustan Times | date=25 October 2025 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tmc-helping-rohingya-infiltrators-to-settle-in-bengal-suvendu-101761393589812.html | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=If Bihar has 30 lakh fake voters, Bengal will have 90 lakh: BJP | website=Inshorts – Stay Informed | date=17 July 2025 | url=https://inshorts.com/en/news/if-bihar-has-30-lakh-fake-voters--bengal-will-have-90-lakh--bjp-1752737602861 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
Particularly in the wake of the [[Bangladesh post-resignation violence (2024–2026)|political instability in Bangladesh]] and [[2024 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence|anti-Hindu violence there in 2024]] and [[2025 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence|2025]], Adhikari has linked the concern over immigration of [[Islam in Bangladesh|Bangladeshi Muslims]] to the need for greater [[Bangladesh–India border|border]] security, claiming that the [[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hindu-majority]] West Bengal's [[demographic change]] was being accelerated by [[Illegal immigration to India|illegal immigration]] of Muslims. He has demanded increased surveillance at the border to prevent what he deems uncontrolled immigration, organised protests near the India-Bangladesh border, and threatened to impose trade sanctions if attacks on Hindus continued.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bengal LoP threatens trade embargo on Bangladesh if attacks on Hindus don't stop | website=The Times of India | date=5 December 2024 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-lop-threatens-trade-embargo-on-bangladesh-if-attacks-on-hindus-dont-stop/articleshow/116017071.cms | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=BJP's Suvendu says will stage protest at border if attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh don't stop | website=Deccan Herald | date=12 November 2024 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/bjps-suvendu-says-will-stage-protest-at-border-if-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-dont-stop-3273351 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> On 17 October 2025, he assured Indian Muslims that the Election Commission's [[Special Intensive Revision]] (SIR) of the voter list would only target "Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators", not any valid citizens, and that the SIR is part of an effort to purify the electoral rolls without affecting the native population.<ref>{{cite web | title=SIR will lead to deletion of names of only Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators: Suvendu Adhikari | website=Moneycontrol | date=17 October 2025 | url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/sir-will-lead-to-deletion-of-names-of-only-bangladeshi-muslim-infiltrators-suvendu-adhikari-13622525.html | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Press Trust Of India | website=Press Trust Of India | url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/sir-will-lead-to-deletion-of-names-of-only-bangladeshi-muslim-infiltrators-bengal-lop/3016200 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
Adhikari campaigned for the implementation of the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA) to grant citizenship to persecuted [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Hindu refugees from Bangladesh]]. On 25 October 2025, he urged Bangladeshi Hindu refugees in West Bengal to apply for citizenship at CAA awareness camps.<ref>{{cite web | last=Som | first=Moyurie | title=West Bengal BJP urges Bangladeshi Hindu refugees to apply for citizenship under CAA ahead of 2026 polls | website=The Hindu | date=25 October 2025 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-bjp-urges-bangladeshi-hindu-refugees-to-apply-for-citizenship-under-caa-ahead-of-2026-polls/article70202412.ece | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> During the [[2024 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence|2024 unrest in Bangladesh]], he warned of up to 1 crore Hindu refugees fleeing to West Bengal, called for the state to be prepared, and cited the CAA's provisions for non-Muslim refugees who entered from neighbouring countries before 31 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bangladesh Unrest: 1 Crore Hindu refugees will come to West Bengal, says Suvendu Adhikari | website=The Economic Times | date=5 August 2024 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bangladesh-unrest-1-crore-hindu-refugees-will-come-to-west-bengal-says-suvendu-adhikari/videoshow/112292458.cms | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Mitra | first1=Atri | last2=Bhattacharya | first2=Ravik | title=Bangladesh crisis: As Bengal BJP stirs talk of '1 cr refugees', CAA, cautious TMC govt appeals for calm | website=The Indian Express | date=6 August 2024 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bangladesh-crisis-bengal-bjp-1-cr-refugees-caa-tmc-govt-calm-9498631/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
=== Bangladesh ===
Suvendu Adhikari has frequently made statements concerning [[Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, 2024|violence against Hindus in Bangladesh]] and [[Bangladesh–India relations|India Bangladesh relations]]. In December 2025, he warned that he would disrupt the functioning of Bangladesh's Deputy High Commission in Kolkata over the [[Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das|lynching of Dipu Das in Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2025 |title='Won't allow them to function': Suvendu Adhikari's warning Bangladesh mission in Kolkata amid tensions with India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/wont-allow-them-to-function-bjp-suvendu-adhikari-warns-bangladesh-mission-in-kolkata-over-envoy-meet-101766500195639.html |access-date=8 May 2026 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> During a later protest, he said that if the violence against Hindus did not stop, India's Hindus would be "teaching a lesson" to Bangladesh as [[Gaza genocide|Israel had done to Gaza]] and [[Operation Sindhoor|India had done to Pakistan]]. This drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress, which called the speech a "bloodthirsty call for mass murder and ethnic cleansing".<ref>{{Cite news |title=BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Draws Flak After Calling For Gaza-Like 'Lesson' at Protest Against Dipu Das's Murder |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/bjp-suvendu-adhikari-bangladesh-dipu-das-lynching-lesson-like-gaza |access-date=8 May 2026 |work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=27 December 2025 |title=TMC accuses Suvendu Adhikari of 'naked hate speech' in his remarks against Bangladesh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/tmc-accuses-suvendu-adhikari-of-naked-hate-speech-in-his-remarks-against-bangladesh/article70443618.ece |access-date=8 May 2026 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
 
In 2024, the TMC accused Suvendu Adhikari of making communal remarks before bypolls and complained to the Election Commission.<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web | title=TMC alleges Suvendu Adhikari 'made communal remarks' in poll-bound area, complains to ECI | website=The Indian Express | date=11 November 2024 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/tmc-suvendu-adhikari-communal-remarks-poll-eci-9664478/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mishra | first=Anupam | title=Trinamool accuses Suvendu Adhikari of hate speech, complains to poll body | website=India Today | date=11 November 2024 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/trinamool-congress-accuses-suvendu-adhikari-hate-speech-bangladesh-complains-election-commission-2631571-2024-11-11 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> During the 2025 Murshidabad violence, Adhikari alleged attacks on Hindus and criticised law enforcement.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | author=<!--staff writer--> | title=West Bengal Waqf protests: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari claims Hindus 'forced to flee' Murshidabad amid violence | website=The Times of India | date=13 April 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-waqf-protests-bjps-suvendu-adhikari-claims-hindus-forced-to-flee-murshidabad-amid-violence/articleshow/120249804.cms | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mitra | first=Atri | title=BJP and TMC allege 'outsiders' instigated violence at Murshidabad | website=The Indian Express | date=14 April 2025 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bjp-and-tmc-allege-outsiders-instigated-violence-at-murshidabad-9943901/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Bhattacharya | first1=Ravik | last2=Mitra | first2=Atri | title=Ram Navami days away, why there is an air of disquiet in Bengal | website=The Indian Express | date=3 April 2025 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/ram-navami-west-bengal-communal-tension-9921389/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> In 2025, he also drew criticism for advising against travel to Muslim-majority areas.<ref>{{cite web | title=Suvendu Adhikari's call for avoiding Muslim-majority areas stokes row in West Bengal | website=Hindustan Times | date=11 July 2025 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjps-suvendu-adhikaris-call-for-avoiding-muslim-majority-areas-stokes-controversy-in-west-bengal-tmc-101752217800133.html | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title='Don't go to places where Muslims are majority': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari sparks outrage with communal remarks; TMC slams 'provocation' | website=The Times of India | date=12 July 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/dont-go-to-places-where-muslims-are-majority-suvendu-advises-travellers/articleshow/122395041.cms | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Resolution passed in Bengal assembly against BJP's Suvendu over remarks on TMC MLAs | website=Deccan Herald | date=13 March 2025 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/resolution-passed-in-bengal-assembly-against-bjps-suvendu-over-remarks-on-tmc-mlas-3445143 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
=== Corruption ===
Adhikari has accused the TMC of large-scale corruption.<ref>{{cite web | title=Entire TMC is corrupt, claims BJP's Suvendu Adhikari; Trinamool hits back | website=Deccan Herald | date=26 August 2025 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/entire-tmc-is-corrupt-claims-bjps-suvendu-adhikari-trinamool-hits-back-3697969 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
==== Chit fund scandal ====
Adhikari has spoken extensively about West Bengal's [[chit fund]] scandals, alleging the involvement of the Trinamool Congress leadership and the state administration. In July 2023, he publicly offered to supply the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) with evidence concerning Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]]'s alleged involvement in the [[Saradha Group financial scandal]], while accusing the agency of hesitancy in interrogating high-ranking officials.<ref>{{cite web | title=Will give proof of Mamata's involvement to CBI: Suvendu | website=The Indian Express | date=18 July 2023 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/saradha-chit-fund-case-will-give-proof-of-mamatas-involvement-to-cbi-suvendu-8845067/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> Earlier, in March 2023, he wrote to Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], questioning the CBI's reluctance to take action against high-placed individuals accused in the decade-old Sarada case, and called for decisive steps to dismantle state-level protection rackets.<ref>{{cite web | title=Why is CBI hesitant?: Suvendu Adhikari writes to PM, seeks action against Mamata in Saradha case | website=Telegraph India | date=6 March 2023 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/why-is-cbi-hesitant-suvendu-adhikari-writes-to-prime-minister-narendra-modi-seeks-action-against-mamata-banerjee-in-saradha-case/cid/1920764 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> In a separate letter to the CBI Director that same month, he highlighted delays in the investigation of multiple chit fund operations, alleging that [[Kunal Ghosh]], a TMC politician, had influenced the probe even from custody.<ref>{{cite web | title=LOP Suvendu Adhikari writes to CBI Director over slow investigation in Saradha Scam | website=ANI News | date=20 July 2023 | url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lop-suvendu-adhikari-writes-to-cbi-director-over-slow-investigation-in-saradha-scam20230720230851/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
Adhikari himself was questioned by the CBI in 2014 over the Saradha Group financial scandal, which allegedly defrauded investors of about ₹25,000 crore.<ref name="thehindubusinessline.com">{{cite web | title=Saradha scam: CBI questions TMC MP Suvendu Adhikari | website=BusinessLine | date=24 September 2014 | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/saradha-scam-cbi-questions-tmc-mp-suvendu-adhikari/article23155913.ece | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> Though investigated for alleged links with Saradha-backed media and events, he was not named in any chargesheet.<ref>{{cite web | last=Mondal | first=Dibyendu | title=Seven years on, CBI still silent on Saradha chit fund scam | website=The Sunday Guardian Live | date=22 May 2021 | url=https://latest.sundayguardianlive.com/news/seven-years-cbi-still-silent-saradha-chit-fund-scam | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> In 2020, Saradha chief Sudipta Sen accused Adhikari of extortion and promoting the scheme, allegations Adhikari denied as politically motivated.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saradha Scam Accused Alleges BJP Leader Took Money, Trinamool Seeks Action | website=www.ndtv.com | date=25 June 2022 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/saradha-scam-accused-sudipto-sen-alleges-bjps-suvendu-adhikari-took-money-trinamool-congress-seeks-action-3098683 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Suvendu urges CBI to probe Saradha accused's allegations against him | website=The Indian Express | date=12 December 2020 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/suvendu-urges-cbi-to-probe-saradha-accuseds-allegations-against-him-7101581/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> As of October 2025, no charges against him had resulted in conviction.<ref>{{cite web | title=11 years on, Bengal's Saradha chit fund victims await justice amid LS polls corruption discourse | website=The New Indian Express | date=28 May 2024 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/May/28/11-years-on-bengals-saradha-chit-fund-victims-await-justice-amid-ls-polls-corruption-discourse | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
==== Sandeshkhali raid ====
After the [[Sandeshkhali violence|April 2024 Sandeshkhali raid]] by the CBI, Adhikari claimed that uncovered weaponry linked the TMC to the assault on [[Enforcement Directorate]] staff. He demanded that Mamata Banerjee be arrested and that the TMC be declared a terrorist organisation.<ref>{{cite web | last=Gupta | first=Shobhit | title='Arrest Mamata, declare TMC a terror outfit', demands BJP leader after CBI searches at premises of Sandeshkhali accused | website=Hindustan Times | date=27 April 2024 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arrest-mamata-declare-tmc-a-terror-outfit-demands-bjp-leader-after-cbi-searches-at-premises-of-sandeshkhali-accused-101714186870180.html | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
 
=== Post-poll violence ===
Following the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on 2 May 2021, Adhikari compiled documentation of the [[2021 West Bengal post-poll violence|post-election violence]], including videos and affidavits detailing attacks on BJP workers that began on 3 May. In May 2021, he filed a writ petition in the [[Calcutta High Court]], annexing evidence of targeted attacks, property destruction, and displacement across various districts, which led to judicial monitoring and orders for registering FIRs.<ref>{{cite web |first= |title=Writ Petition (Supreme Court of India) |url=https://lawtrend.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ICT-Bengal-Violence-Writ-Petition-with-Annexures_compressed.pdf |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> As a result of these efforts, in July 2021, amid the government's denial of retaliatory violence against opposition supporters, the High Court issued a mandatory directive compelling the state to register cases for all reported incidents and to cooperate with the [[National Human Rights Commission of India|National Human Rights Commission's]] investigation.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta HC orders filing of cases and relief for victims | website=The Indian Express | date=3 July 2021 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/post-poll-violence-calcutta-hc-bengal-govt-cases-medical-care-7385762/ | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Roy | first=Divyanshu Dutta | title=Bengal In "Denial Mode" Over Post-Election Violence: Calcutta High Court | website=www.ndtv.com | date=2 July 2021 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengal-government-in-denial-mode-over-post-election-violence-says-calcutta-high-court-2477773 | access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[2021 Nandigram controversy]]
*[[2021 Nandigram controversy]]
*[[Mukul Roy]]  
*[[Chandranath Rath]]
*[[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1962)|Arjun Singh]]
==Notes==
*[[Saumitra Khan]]
{{notelist}}
*[[Rajib Banerjee]]
 
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|3}}
{{reflist}}
 
{{authority control}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers}}
{{Current Indian Chief Ministers}}
{{Chief Ministers of West Bengal}}
{{15th LS members from West Bengal}}
{{15th LS members from West Bengal}}
{{West Bengal Legislative Assembly4}}
{{West Bengal Legislative Assembly4}}
{{16th LS members from West Bengal}}
{{16th LS members from West Bengal}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}


==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suvendu-Adhikari Suvendu Adhikari] on [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
{{Portal bar|Biography|Politics|India}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Adhikari, Suvendu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adhikari, Suvendu}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:15th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 2009–2014]]
[[Category:People from Purba Medinipur district]]
[[Category:People from Purba Medinipur district]]
[[Category:All India Trinamool Congress politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from West Bengal]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Trinamool Congress politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2021–2026]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2021–2026]]
[[Category:India MPs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2016–2021]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2006–2011]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in West Bengal]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:West Bengal municipal councillors]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2026–2031]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of West Bengal]]

Latest revision as of 17:15, 8 August 2026



Suvendu Adhikari
Adhikari in 2026
9th Chief Minister of West Bengal
Assumed office
9 May 2026
GovernorR. N. Ravi
CabinetAdhikari ministry
Preceded byMamata Banerjee
Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
5 May 2021
Preceded byHimself (December 2020)(Nandigram), Mamata Banerjee (Bhabanipur)
ConstituencyNandigram (Until 13 May 2026), Bhabanipur (From 13 May 2026)
In office
19 May 2016 – 1 December 2020[lower-alpha 1]
Preceded byPhiroja Bibi
Succeeded byHimself (May 2021)
ConstituencyNandigram
In office
11 May 2006 – 16 May 2009
Preceded bySisir Adhikari
Succeeded byDibyendu Adhikari
ConstituencyContai South
12th Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly
In office
13 May 2021 – 9 May 2026
GovernorJagdeep Dhankhar
La. Ganesan (additional charge)
C. V. Ananda Bose
R. N. Ravi
DeputyMihir Goswami
Preceded byAbdul Mannan
Succeeded byRitabrata Banerjee
Chairman of the Jute Corporation of India
In office
31 December 2020[1] – 2 March 2021[2]
Union Textiles MinisterSmriti Irani
Preceded byAjay Kumar Jolly
Cabinet Minister in West Bengal
In office
27 May 2016 – 27 November 2020
Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee
Departments
  • Irrigation and Waterways
  • Transport
  • Environment
Preceded byAroop Biswas (Transport)
Sovan Chatterjee (Environment)
Succeeded byFirhad Hakim (Transport)
Mamata Banerjee (Environment)
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2009 – 20 May 2016
Preceded byLakshman Chandra Seth
Succeeded byDibyendu Adhikari
ConstituencyTamluk, West Bengal
Councillor of Kanthi Municipality
In office
1995–2000
Committee Member in Parliament of India
In office
2009–2014 and 2014–2016
Member of
  • Standing Committee on Industry (2009–2014)
  • Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (2014–2016)
  • Consultative Committee, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (2014–2016)
Personal details
Born (1970-12-15) 15 December 1970 (age 55)
Contai, West Bengal, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party (since 2020)
Parents
RelativesDibyendu Adhikari (brother)
Soumendu Adhikari (brother)
Alma materRabindra Bharati University (M.A)[3]
Occupation
Signature

Suvendu Adhikari (Śubhēndu Adhikārī, bn; born 15 December 1970) is an Indian politician who is serving as the ninth chief minister of West Bengal since 9 May 2026. He is the first chief minister of West Bengal belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).[4][5]

He also served as leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2026. Adhikari previously worked in the state ministry for the West Bengal government from 2016 to 2020. He was elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nandigram in 2016, 2021 and 2026, and simultaneously from Bhabanipur in 2026. Previously he was elected from Kanthi Dakshin in 2005, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamluk in 2009, and 2014.[6]

He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 2016 to 2020, Irrigation and Water resource from 2018 to 2020 in the Government of West Bengal. He was also a member of Lok Sabha from Tamluk from 2009 to 2016 and the chairperson of Jute Corporation of India from 2020 to 2021. He was a member of the Trinamool Congress from 1998 to 2020 and Indian National Congress from 1995 to 1998. He is the son of Sisir Adhikari, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister of State for Rural Development in the Manmohan Singh government.[7][8][9][10][11]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Adhikari was born on 15 December 1970 to Sisir Adhikari and Gayatri Adhikari at Karkuli in Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal. Sisir Adhikari is a politician, and former Minister of State in Second Manmohan Singh ministry and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kanthi constituency in 2019.[12][13] Adhikari is unmarried.[14]

Adhikari received a Master of Arts degree in Environmental studies from Rabindra Bharati University in the year 2011.[15][16]

Early political career[edit | edit source]

Entry into politics and initial years[edit | edit source]

Adhikari was first elected as a councillor from Indian National Congress in the Kanthi Municipality in 1995.[17] In 2006, Adhikari was elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Kanthi Dakshin constituency. He also became the Chairman of Kanthi Municipality in the same year.[12]

Nandigram movement and rise within Trinamool Congress[edit | edit source]

Adhikari in Nandigram Sitananda College

In 2007, Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land acquisition movement in the Nandigram. He led the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee. The ruling Left Front government in West Bengal planned to acquire 10,000 acres of land in the village to set up a special economic zone.[18][19][20] This movement catapulted Mamata Banerjee to the centre-stage of Bengali politics.[20] The state CID alleged that Adhikari had supplied arms to the Maoists to wage an armed movement against the state government.[21][22]

After Adhikari's success in Nandigram, Banerjee made him the party's observer (in-charge) of the Jangal Mahal i.e. Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bankura districts. He was successful in expanding the party's base in these districts.[20] In 2009, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Tamluk constituency.[23] He defeated his nearest rival Lakshman Seth of Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of approximately 173,000 votes.[24]

In the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, Adhikari was pitted against Abdul Kadir Sheikh of the Left Front – Indian National Congress alliance in Nandigram constituency.[19] After getting elected, he resigned as an MP from Tamluk constituency.[25] He was sworn in as the Minister of Transport in the Second Mamata Banerjee ministry on 27 May 2016.[26]

Entry into Bharatiya Janata Party and 2021 elections[edit | edit source]

Adhikari stepped down from the post of chairman of Hooghly River Bridge Commission (HRBC), a statutory body under the Government of West Bengal on 26 November 2020.[27] He also resigned as West Bengal Transport Minister on 27 November 2020.[28] He had tendered his resignation to the speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly as MLA on 16 December 2020 which was not accepted by the speaker initially on grounds of technicality. However, it was eventually accepted on 21 December 2020.[29] On 17 December 2020 he resigned from the primary membership of All India Trinamool Congress.[30][31]

On 19 December 2020, he joined Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah.[32][33] Adhikari's defection was reportedly caused due his rivalry with Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who was being groomed as her heir-apparent.[34] His influence in Trinamool Congress led to further defections, and many of his followers joined the BJP later.[35]

He defeated the sitting chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram assembly seat in 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election by 1,956 votes. Mamata Banerjee has filed an election petition in Calcutta High Court challenging the verdict of Nandigram.[6][needs update]

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal (2021–2026)[edit | edit source]

Adhikari with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

Adhikari served as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from May 2021 until the conclusion of the Assembly term in May 2026. He was elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in the legislative assembly on 10 May, and his appointment was announced by then Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.[36] After defeating the incumbent chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram constituency, his stature rose in the politics of West Bengal.[37]

Legislative opposition[edit | edit source]

BJP legislators under his leadership repeatedly protested inside the Assembly over allegations relating to political violence, corruption, law and order, recruitment irregularities, and communal tensions.[38][39][40] During the 17th assembly, Adhikari along with many other opposition legislators were suspended from Assembly sessions.[41][42] His addresses in the Assembly also frequently accused the Mamata Banerjee-led administration of authoritarianism and partisan governance.

Response to post-poll violence[edit | edit source]

Further information: 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence

After the conclusion of the 2021 elections, large scale violence took place across West Bengal, and numerous BJP workers and volunteers were targeted. During this time, Adhikari emerged as one of the principal opposition voices regarding the incidents of alleged post-poll violence reported from several parts of the state.[43][44] He also played a significant role in documenting complaints related to the violence and supported legal petitions seeking judicial intervention.[45][46] Adhikari demanded investigations by central agencies and sought compensation and rehabilitation for affected party workers.[47][48] The Calcutta High Court subsequently ordered investigations into several incidents linked to post-poll violence and even constituted a court-monitored process in certain cases.[49][50] He led a delegation of the violence affected victims to meet the Governor, however, he was blocked by the state administration.[51] Adhikari organized visits to affected districts and offered relief money for the damages during the violence.[52][53]

Sandeshkhali agitation[edit | edit source]

Further information: Sandeshkhali violence

Adhikari has been a major opposition voice concerning the unrest and allegations of atrocities in Sandeshkhali and become became the face of BJP's campaign over the unrest.[54][37][55] Through press conferences, Assembly protests, social media campaigns, and visits to affected areas, he consistently highlighted allegations made by local residents; bringing national political attention to Sandeshkhali. He repeatedly attempted to visit the affected region, leading to confrontations with the police and the state administration. On several occasions he was detained while travelling to the area.[56][57] Later, after intervention by the Calcutta High Court, Adhikari was permitted to visit Sandeshkhali. Specifically, he was allowed to visit two areas in Sandeshkhali, namely, Jeliapara and Halderpara.[58] During his visit, he and his fellow legislator Sankar Ghosh met local residents and women protesters who narrated alleged experiences of intimidation and abuse. After the visit, he described the situation as “horrific” and an example of “complete lawlessness”.[59][60] Later, he arranged BJP membership drive in Sandeshkhali, and criticised dominance of minorities while urging for "Hindu Unity".[61]

2024 Indian general election[edit | edit source]

Among the BJP leaders in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari emerged as one of the central figures of the party's campaign in 2024 Indian general election in West Bengal.[62] Adhikari's regional network played an important role in maintaining the BJP's strength in parts of East Midnapore during the election.[63][64] According to reports from The Statesman, BJP had given Adhikari a “free hand” during the Lok Sabha campaign, and he had major influence over candidate selection and campaign management in multiple constituencies.[65][66] However, after the result, the BJP was reduced to 12 seats; 6 less compared to its 2019 performance. Many leaders within the BJP targeted Adhikari's approach, and his interference in the candidate selection.[67][68] Adhikari, however, alleged that electoral irregularities and “false voting” had affected the party's prospects in several constituencies.[69]

Abhaya agitation[edit | edit source]

Further information: 2024 Kolkata rape and murder

2026 elections[edit | edit source]

In 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, Suvendu simultaneously contested in both Nandigram as well as Bhabanipur, the seat held by outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee and won both by a spectacular margin. The last time when an incumbent CM was defeated on their own seat by a person contesting in 2 seats was in 1967, when Ajoy Mukherjee of Bangla Congress defeated the then CM Prafulla Chandra Sen of the Congress party in his Arambag seat while retaining his own Tamluk seat.[70]

After his 2026 election win, Suvendu Adhikari claimed support came mainly from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh voters, not Muslim voters. He said Muslim votes largely went to the opposition, highlighting religious voting patterns.[71]

On the night of 6 May 2026, assailants on bikes shot dead Chandranath Rath who was Suvendu's personal assistant .[72]

Chief Minister of West Bengal (2026–present)[edit | edit source]

Main article: Suvendu Adhikari ministry

On 8 May 2026, he was elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party legislative party in West Bengal in the presence of central observer Amit Shah.[73]

Swearing ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari

Adhikari took the oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026 at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, becoming the first chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party to hold the office.[73][74][75]

Along with Adhikari, five other ministers were sworn in on the same day, and they were allocated their ministries on 11 May 2026. His administration took numerous decisions on the first cabinet meeting held. This included the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat, the flagship healthcare scheme of the Modi government.[76] Additionally, transfer of land in the border areas to the Border Security Force was also being done by his administration.[77][78] The age limit for job seekers for government jobs in the state was also increased by five years.[79][80] The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita was also being implemented across the state by the Adhikari government.[81]

Electoral history[edit | edit source]

Legislative Assembly[edit | edit source]

West Bengal Legislative Assembly
Year Constituency Party Votes % Opponent Opponent

Party

Opponent

Votes

% Margin in % Result
2001 Mugberia AITC 59,724 46.90% Kiran Moy Nanda West Bengal Socialist Party 64,415 50.58% −4,691 −3.68% Lost
2006 Kanthi Dakshin 68,608 50.60% Satyendra Nath Panda CPI 60,028 38.31% 8,580 6.30% Won
2016 Nandigram 1,34,623 67.20% Abdul Kabir Sekh 53,393 26.70% 81,230 40.60% Won
2021 Bhartiya Janata Party 1,10,764 48.49% Mamata Banerjee AITC 1,08,808 47.64% 1,956 0.85% Won
2026 1,27,301 50.37% Pabitra Kar 1,17,636 46.55% 9,665 3.82% Won
Bhabanipur 73,917 53.02% Mamata Banerjee 58,812 42.19% 15,105 10.83% Won

Lok Sabha[edit | edit source]

Lok Sabha
Year Constituency Party Votes % Opponent Opponent

Party

Opponent

Votes

% Margin Margin

in %

Result
2004 Tamluk AITC 4,49,848 43.60% Lakshman Chandra Seth CPI (M) 5,07,228 49.20% −57,380 −5.60% Lost
2009 6,37,664 55.54% 4,64,706 40.50% 1,72,958 15.90% Won
2014 7,16,928 53.60% Sheikh Ibrahim Ali 4,70,447 35.20% 2,46,481 18.40% Won

Political stances[edit | edit source]

Immigration and the CAA[edit | edit source]

Suvendu Adhikari has advocated for stricter measures against illegal immigration in West Bengal. On 25 October 2025, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not against Indian Muslims; rather, they wished to deport Rohingya Muslim refugees, whom he called "infiltrators".[82] He has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of assisting in the settlement of these refugees using fake documents and facilitating their inclusion in voter lists. He claimed that there were 90 lakh "fake voters" in Bengal.[83][84]

Particularly in the wake of the political instability in Bangladesh and anti-Hindu violence there in 2024 and 2025, Adhikari has linked the concern over immigration of Bangladeshi Muslims to the need for greater border security, claiming that the Hindu-majority West Bengal's demographic change was being accelerated by illegal immigration of Muslims. He has demanded increased surveillance at the border to prevent what he deems uncontrolled immigration, organised protests near the India-Bangladesh border, and threatened to impose trade sanctions if attacks on Hindus continued.[85][86] On 17 October 2025, he assured Indian Muslims that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list would only target "Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators", not any valid citizens, and that the SIR is part of an effort to purify the electoral rolls without affecting the native population.[87][88]

Adhikari campaigned for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to grant citizenship to persecuted Hindu refugees from Bangladesh. On 25 October 2025, he urged Bangladeshi Hindu refugees in West Bengal to apply for citizenship at CAA awareness camps.[89] During the 2024 unrest in Bangladesh, he warned of up to 1 crore Hindu refugees fleeing to West Bengal, called for the state to be prepared, and cited the CAA's provisions for non-Muslim refugees who entered from neighbouring countries before 31 December 2014.[90][91]

Bangladesh[edit | edit source]

Suvendu Adhikari has frequently made statements concerning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and India Bangladesh relations. In December 2025, he warned that he would disrupt the functioning of Bangladesh's Deputy High Commission in Kolkata over the lynching of Dipu Das in Bangladesh.[92] During a later protest, he said that if the violence against Hindus did not stop, India's Hindus would be "teaching a lesson" to Bangladesh as Israel had done to Gaza and India had done to Pakistan. This drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress, which called the speech a "bloodthirsty call for mass murder and ethnic cleansing".[93][94]

In 2024, the TMC accused Suvendu Adhikari of making communal remarks before bypolls and complained to the Election Commission.[95][96] During the 2025 Murshidabad violence, Adhikari alleged attacks on Hindus and criticised law enforcement.[97][98][99] In 2025, he also drew criticism for advising against travel to Muslim-majority areas.[100][101][102]

Corruption[edit | edit source]

Adhikari has accused the TMC of large-scale corruption.[103]

Chit fund scandal[edit | edit source]

Adhikari has spoken extensively about West Bengal's chit fund scandals, alleging the involvement of the Trinamool Congress leadership and the state administration. In July 2023, he publicly offered to supply the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with evidence concerning Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's alleged involvement in the Saradha Group financial scandal, while accusing the agency of hesitancy in interrogating high-ranking officials.[104] Earlier, in March 2023, he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the CBI's reluctance to take action against high-placed individuals accused in the decade-old Sarada case, and called for decisive steps to dismantle state-level protection rackets.[105] In a separate letter to the CBI Director that same month, he highlighted delays in the investigation of multiple chit fund operations, alleging that Kunal Ghosh, a TMC politician, had influenced the probe even from custody.[106]

Adhikari himself was questioned by the CBI in 2014 over the Saradha Group financial scandal, which allegedly defrauded investors of about ₹25,000 crore.[107] Though investigated for alleged links with Saradha-backed media and events, he was not named in any chargesheet.[108] In 2020, Saradha chief Sudipta Sen accused Adhikari of extortion and promoting the scheme, allegations Adhikari denied as politically motivated.[109][110] As of October 2025, no charges against him had resulted in conviction.[111]

Sandeshkhali raid[edit | edit source]

After the April 2024 Sandeshkhali raid by the CBI, Adhikari claimed that uncovered weaponry linked the TMC to the assault on Enforcement Directorate staff. He demanded that Mamata Banerjee be arrested and that the TMC be declared a terrorist organisation.[112]

Post-poll violence[edit | edit source]

Following the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on 2 May 2021, Adhikari compiled documentation of the post-election violence, including videos and affidavits detailing attacks on BJP workers that began on 3 May. In May 2021, he filed a writ petition in the Calcutta High Court, annexing evidence of targeted attacks, property destruction, and displacement across various districts, which led to judicial monitoring and orders for registering FIRs.[113] As a result of these efforts, in July 2021, amid the government's denial of retaliatory violence against opposition supporters, the High Court issued a mandatory directive compelling the state to register cases for all reported incidents and to cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission's investigation.[114][115]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ He was removed from all the posts of TMC

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Podder, Debasish (31 December 2020). "জুট কর্পোরেশন অফ ইন্ডিয়ার চেয়ারম্যান হচ্ছেন শুভেন্দু অধিকারী, নতুন বছরেই নিয়োগ". Hindustan Times (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari likely to step down as Chairperson of Jute Corporation of India". ANI News. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikar's Affidavit 2026" (PDF).
  4. ↑ Republic TV (9 May 2026). Suvendu Adhikari Takes Oath As West Bengal's First BJP Chief Minister Since Independence. Retrieved 9 May 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal". The Hindu. 9 May 2026. Archived from the original on 9 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Manral, Karan (17 June 2021). "Mamata Banerjee challenges Suvendu Adhikari's Nandigram win in Calcutta High Court". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  7. ↑ Bhattacharya, Ravik (23 September 2012). "Had no work, say former TMC ministers in UPA govt". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari -Profile". Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Nandigram Election Result 2021 LIVE: Nandigram MLA Election Result & Vote Share – Oneindia". OneIndia. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Nandigram Assembly Election Results 2021 LIVE – Nandigram Vidhan Sabha Election Results". Times Now. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Adhikari, Shri Suvendu". Lok Sabha. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  13. ↑ Bhattacharya, Kajari (31 March 2018). "Nandigram: Trinamool's stronghold, one family's stranglehold". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  14. ↑ "ভাইরা বিয়ে করলেও অকৃতদার তিনি, জানুন কেমন শুভেন্দুর সংসার". Aaj Tak বাংলা (in Bengali). 16 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikar's Affidavit 2026" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  16. ↑ Banerjee, Tamaghna (10 May 2026). "I'm CM for all says Suvendu Adhikari". Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "The importance of being Suvendu Adhikari: Why the TMC strongman is miffed with the party leadership". Times Now. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  18. ↑ Sarkar, Arindam (26 April 2007). "Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Trinamool Congress confident of victory in Nandigram". The Economic Times. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "From Nandigram to Murshidabad – Suvendu Adhikari is Mamata Banerjee's all weather man". Hindustan Times. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  21. ↑ Roy, Anirban (17 July 2010). "CID to question Trinamool's Adhikari on Maoist links". India Today. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  22. ↑ "Trinamool MP accused of supplying ammo to Naxalites". India Today. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "In Contai, it's family first for Trinamool's Sisir Adhikary". Indian Express. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  24. ↑ "Nandigram swings two seats in East Midnapore in Trinamool's favour". Indian Express 17 May 2009. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  25. ↑ "Dibyendu Adhikari to contest from Tamluk parliament constituency". India Today. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  26. ↑ "List of Ministers in Mamata's cabinet". The Hindu. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  27. ↑ "TMC's Suvendu Adhikari steps down as Bengal minister a day after resigning as Hooghly commission chairman". India Today. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  28. ↑ "West Bengal: TMC rebel leader Suvendu Adhikari resigns as Transport Minister from Mamata govt". Times Now. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  29. ↑ Sanyal, Anindita (16 December 2020). "Trinamool's Suvendu Adhikari Quits As MLA Amid Reports He Will Join BJP". NDTV. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  30. ↑ "Didi aide Suvendu Adhikari exits TMC, sparks a spate of resignations". The Times of India. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  31. ↑ Phadikar, Anshuman (6 July 2021). "Suvendu Adhikari meets victims of post-poll violence in East Midnapore". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "অমিত শাহের হাত ধরে বিজেপিতে যোগদান করলেন শুভেন্দু অধিকারী সহ ৯ জন বিধায়ক". Bangla Hunt (in Bengali). 19 December 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari ends all speculation, joins BJP, delivers jolt to Mamata and TMC". India Today. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  34. ↑ "কেউ দল ছেড়েছেন, দলে গুরুত্ব হারিয়েছেন কেউ কেউ! মমতার দাপুটে 'মিডল অর্ডার' ভেঙে পড়ল কি অভিষেকের উত্থানে?". Anandabazar Patrika.
  35. ↑ "Explained: The importance of Suvendu Adhikari, to the TMC and to the BJP". The Indian Express. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari Elected Opposition Leader In West Bengal Assembly". NDTV. PTI. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Maiti, Subhendu (9 May 2026). "Once Mamata lieutenant, Suvendu steered BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  38. ↑ "Suvendu's rise to Bengal's top chair marked by key wins and fierce opposition to Mamata Banerjee". The Economic Times. 8 May 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  39. ↑ "Why BJP MLAs walked out of West Bengal Assembly for consecutive days". The Week. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  40. ↑ "West Bengal House suspends Suvendu Adhikari, 5 other BJP MLAs over Sandeshkhali unrest". The Times of India. 12 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  41. ↑ Nag, Jayatri (18 February 2025). "West Bengal Leader of Opposition Adhikari, 3 BJP MLAs suspended for Assembly session due to unruly behaviour". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  42. ↑ Mukherjee, Vasudha. "BJP MLAs suspended from WB Assembly session over Sandeshkhali unrest". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  43. ↑ "Will raise my voice against violence going on in West Bengal, says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari". The Times of India. 10 May 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Post-poll violence continues in West Bengal even now: Suvendu Adhikari". The Economic Times. 16 July 2021. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari moves HC over post-poll violence in West Bengal". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari moves HC seeking protection for victims of post-poll violence". www.millenniumpost.in. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "TMC 'unleashed terror', 10,000 BJP workers and families living in fear at party offices, safehouses in Bengal, claims BJP's Suvendu Adhikari". The Indian Express. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  48. ↑ Nag, Jayatri (6 June 2024). "Post-poll violence erupts in West Bengal; BJP workers targeted". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  49. ↑ "Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into post-poll murders, rapes in West Bengal". The Times of India. 20 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  50. ↑ "Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe into murder, rape cases; forms SIT for other offences". The Economic Times. 19 August 2021. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  51. ↑ "Suvendu-led delegation of violence victims 'stopped from meeting guv'". The Times of India. 14 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  52. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari in violence hit Murshidabad, victims' family accepts relief money from him". The Indian Express. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  53. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari visits violence-hit Mothabari after court nod, offers support to affected". The Telegraph. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  54. ↑ "'Complete lawlessness, TMC govt siding with criminals': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Sandeshkhali". The Indian Express. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  55. ↑ "Sandeshkhali row brings up Trinamool Congress's unique Bengal problem: Two Adhikaris too many". The Indian Express. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  56. ↑ "Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari detained on his way to Sandeshkhali". The Economic Times. 16 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  57. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari, Bengal BJP MLAs Stopped On Way To Violence-Hit Sandeshkhali". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  58. ↑ "HC allows Suvendu to visit two spots in Sandeshkhali today". The Times of India. 29 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  59. ↑ "Situation horrific in Sandeshkhali, there is complete lawlessness: Suvendu Adhikari". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  60. ↑ "Situation Horrific In Sandeshkhali, There Is Complete Lawlessness: Suvendu". Outlook India. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  61. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari urges for 'Hindu unity' in Sandeshkhali day after CM Mamata Banerjee's visit". The Week. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  62. ↑ Majumdar, Arkamoy Datta (23 May 2024). "Why Suvendu Adhikari is BJP's go-to man in Bengal". India Today. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  63. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari faces challenge to deliver five Lok Sabha seats in undivided Midnapore to Narendra Modi". Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  64. ↑ "Party flag changes, while BJP's Adhikaris put up best bet against TMC to retain family stronghold". The Economic Times. 25 May 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  65. ↑ "Party keeps Suvendu out of campaigning for bypolls". The Statesman. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  66. ↑ "BJP's weak organization led its ministers losing". The Statesman. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  67. ↑ "Knives out in Bengal BJP after poll setback, Suvendu Adhikari the target". The Indian Express. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  68. ↑ "Dilip Ghosh Speaks Out As BJP's Bengal Setback Prompts Attacks From Within". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
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  71. ↑ Banerjee, Tirtho (5 May 2026). "'Muslim voters openly…': What Suvendu Adhikari said after defeating Mamata". News9live. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  72. ↑ "Top BJP leader's aide shot dead in violence after Indian state election". BBC. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 "BJP elects legislative party leader in West Bengal". The Indian Express. 8 May 2026.
  74. ↑ "West Bengal to get first BJP Chief Minister on May 9". The Hindu. 8 May 2026.
  75. ↑ "West Bengal government formation LIVE: Suvendu Adhikari elected new CM of Bengal, to take oath on May 9". The Hindu. 8 May 2026.
  76. ↑ "Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari unveils Ayushman Bharat rollout: Here's how to apply". The Telegraph. 11 May 2026.
  77. ↑ "West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announces land transfer to BSF for border fencing within 45 days". All India Radio. 11 May 2026.
  78. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari Hands Over Land to BSF for Border Fencing in West Bengal". dailypioneer.com. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
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  82. ↑ "Press Trust Of India". Press Trust Of India. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  83. ↑ "TMC 'helping' Rohingya infiltrators to settle in Bengal: Suvendu". Hindustan Times. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  84. ↑ "If Bihar has 30 lakh fake voters, Bengal will have 90 lakh: BJP". Inshorts – Stay Informed. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  85. ↑ "Bengal LoP threatens trade embargo on Bangladesh if attacks on Hindus don't stop". The Times of India. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  86. ↑ "BJP's Suvendu says will stage protest at border if attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh don't stop". Deccan Herald. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  87. ↑ "SIR will lead to deletion of names of only Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators: Suvendu Adhikari". Moneycontrol. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  88. ↑ "Press Trust Of India". Press Trust Of India. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  89. ↑ Som, Moyurie (25 October 2025). "West Bengal BJP urges Bangladeshi Hindu refugees to apply for citizenship under CAA ahead of 2026 polls". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  90. ↑ "Bangladesh Unrest: 1 Crore Hindu refugees will come to West Bengal, says Suvendu Adhikari". The Economic Times. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  91. ↑ Mitra, Atri; Bhattacharya, Ravik (6 August 2024). "Bangladesh crisis: As Bengal BJP stirs talk of '1 cr refugees', CAA, cautious TMC govt appeals for calm". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  92. ↑ "'Won't allow them to function': Suvendu Adhikari's warning Bangladesh mission in Kolkata amid tensions with India". Hindustan Times. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  93. ↑ "BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Draws Flak After Calling For Gaza-Like 'Lesson' at Protest Against Dipu Das's Murder". The Wire. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  94. ↑ Singh, Shiv Sahay (27 December 2025). "TMC accuses Suvendu Adhikari of 'naked hate speech' in his remarks against Bangladesh". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  95. ↑ "TMC alleges Suvendu Adhikari 'made communal remarks' in poll-bound area, complains to ECI". The Indian Express. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  96. ↑ Mishra, Anupam (11 November 2024). "Trinamool accuses Suvendu Adhikari of hate speech, complains to poll body". India Today. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  97. ↑ "West Bengal Waqf protests: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari claims Hindus 'forced to flee' Murshidabad amid violence". The Times of India. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  98. ↑ Mitra, Atri (14 April 2025). "BJP and TMC allege 'outsiders' instigated violence at Murshidabad". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  99. ↑ Bhattacharya, Ravik; Mitra, Atri (3 April 2025). "Ram Navami days away, why there is an air of disquiet in Bengal". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  100. ↑ "Suvendu Adhikari's call for avoiding Muslim-majority areas stokes row in West Bengal". Hindustan Times. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  101. ↑ "'Don't go to places where Muslims are majority': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari sparks outrage with communal remarks; TMC slams 'provocation'". The Times of India. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  102. ↑ "Resolution passed in Bengal assembly against BJP's Suvendu over remarks on TMC MLAs". Deccan Herald. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
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  104. ↑ "Will give proof of Mamata's involvement to CBI: Suvendu". The Indian Express. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  105. ↑ "Why is CBI hesitant?: Suvendu Adhikari writes to PM, seeks action against Mamata in Saradha case". Telegraph India. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  106. ↑ "LOP Suvendu Adhikari writes to CBI Director over slow investigation in Saradha Scam". ANI News. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  107. ↑ "Saradha scam: CBI questions TMC MP Suvendu Adhikari". BusinessLine. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  108. ↑ Mondal, Dibyendu (22 May 2021). "Seven years on, CBI still silent on Saradha chit fund scam". The Sunday Guardian Live. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  109. ↑ "Saradha Scam Accused Alleges BJP Leader Took Money, Trinamool Seeks Action". www.ndtv.com. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  110. ↑ "Suvendu urges CBI to probe Saradha accused's allegations against him". The Indian Express. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  111. ↑ "11 years on, Bengal's Saradha chit fund victims await justice amid LS polls corruption discourse". The New Indian Express. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  112. ↑ Gupta, Shobhit (27 April 2024). "'Arrest Mamata, declare TMC a terror outfit', demands BJP leader after CBI searches at premises of Sandeshkhali accused". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  113. ↑ "Writ Petition (Supreme Court of India)" (PDF). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  114. ↑ "Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta HC orders filing of cases and relief for victims". The Indian Express. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  115. ↑ Roy, Divyanshu Dutta (2 July 2021). "Bengal In "Denial Mode" Over Post-Election Violence: Calcutta High Court". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 3 November 2025.

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