Suvendu’s Rise Beyond Mamata's Shadow
Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari. File photo
Vote counting is underway in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections in India. A close contest is taking place between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. Amid the party battle, a separate rivalry between two individuals has come into focus. Once under the same umbrella and working side by side, they have now become the state’s biggest political rivals, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Suvendu was a member of the Trinamool Congress from 1998 to 2020. He served as Transport Minister in the West Bengal government from 2016 to 2020, and as Irrigation and Water Resources Minister from 2018 to 2020. He was considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted aides. In particular, he co-led the Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement alongside Mamata.
This movement propelled Mamata Banerjee to the center of state politics. Following its success, Suvendu was given responsibility for the Jangalmahal region by the Trinamool leadership, where he was also successful. He later became a minister in Mamata’s cabinet.
However, the rivalry between the two began in 2020. Toward the end of that year, Suvendu resigned from Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet. He also resigned from the primary membership of the Trinamool Congress on December 17 of the same year. Two days later, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
This marked the beginning of their political hostility. The following year, Suvendu defeated Mamata Banerjee in her own constituency, Nandigram.
Since then, their rivalry has intensified. Beyond political statements, they have also launched personal attacks against each other. Suvendu has made statements about pulling Mamata Banerjee by the hair, while Mamata has retaliated by labeling him a ‘traitor’
Once again, during the vote counting, their rivalry is drawing national attention.
According to the latest trends, the BJP is leading in 193 seats, while the ruling Trinamool Congress is ahead in 97 seats.
These results suggest that the BJP may be on its way to forming the government in West Bengal, a sentiment also expressed by Suvendu Adhikari.
From being a political ally of Mamata Banerjee to now potentially taking her position, Suvendu appears to be on the path to becoming the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. The leader who once learned politics under Mamata’s shadow may now emerge as the most powerful figure in the state.
