There is much speculation regarding the potential of Suvendu Adhikari becoming the first Chief Minister (CM) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal’s history as the political landscape of the state continues to shift. As the BJP continues to establish itself as an effective opposition to the currently ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Adhikari has quickly become the BJP’s most recognizable political face in the state.
According to political experts, Adhikari’s fierce campaigning style, organizational capacity and reach in rural Bengal all position him as the logical choice for the CM position should the BJP win enough seats in the next Assembly election.
From a Strongman in AITC to a Politician in the BJP
Suvendu Adhikari began his career in politics with AITC and was instrumental in expanding the party’s presence in the East Midnapore region and surrounding areas. As Mamata Banerjee’s right hand man during AITC’s rise to power, Adhikari was a major supporter of the party.
Nationally Adhikari became infamous in relation to the Nandigram movement, where he became an influential grassroots leader against the government’s land acquisition policies. The Nandigram movement was a catalyst for political changes in West Bengal and ultimately facilitated AITC’s victory leading to AITC forming the government for the first time.
During his political career, Adhikari’s biggest victory occurred during the recent West Bengal Assembly election when he won the Nandigram seat and defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While the BJP was unable to form a government following this election, Adhikari’s success has resulted in significant recognition within the party, and he was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly soon after the results were announced, placing him as the leading challenger to the Trinamool Congress government.
Since then, Adhikari has focused his criticism towards the state’s administration regarding corruption, law and order issues, political violence, and recruitment scams; his speeches and outreach efforts across the state have aided him in consolidating support from party workers and supporters alike.
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BJP’s Search for a Bengal Face
Many states besides West Bengal have depended primarily on the central leadership of the BJP, but there have not been any credible, unified state leaders from within the party throughout the state’s history. Over the past few years, however, Suvendu Adhikari has been rising to fill this gap slowly.
Political experts believe that Adhikari’s attraction as a state leader comes from his ability to analyze the dynamics between different castes present in Bengal, the working relationships across various political networks in rural areas, and the structure within which the party operates. Additionally, Adhikari’s influence over the Matua and OBC communities provides the BJP with a significant advantage at the polls.
Since his elevation to leadership roles within the West Bengal BJP, Adhikari has become clearly visible at elections, public demonstrations, and other public campaigning events. Senior leaders in the BJP are also viewing Adhikari as the face of the BJP in West Bengal and speculating that he could be nominated as the BJP’s next chief ministerial candidate in a future Assembly election.
Challenges to the BJP
The road to power for the BJP in West Bengal will not come easy for Adhikari even with his increasing influence. The Trinamool Congress remains a formidable party with large numbers and a strong presence at the grassroots level. Additionally, Mamata Banerjee is likely the most powerful and popular regional leader in Indian politics.
The BJP will also be faced with its own internal challenges, including dissent within the party and converting its national electoral successes into provincial (Assembly) victories. In the 2021 elections, despite a large and well-financed campaign, the BJP did not perform as expected and accomplished less than its stated goal.
Prior to Adhikari being able to take over, it will also be necessary for the BJP to increase the party support base in both Southern Bengal and the urban areas of the state while retaining its previous gains made in Northern Bengal.
The Political Importance of a BJP Regime in Bengal
If a BJP government finally comes to power under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari, it would signal a fundamental political transformation in a province that has long been controlled by the Left Front Party and, later, the Trinamool Congress Party. Additionally, establishing a BJP government in Bengal will enhance and solidify the BJP as an important player in Eastern India while changing the political dynamics nationally. Due to its significance politically and culturally, Bengal is one of the most critical States for the BJP.
The possibility of Adhikari becoming the first BJP Chief Minister in Bengal remains subject to speculation; however, he has established himself as one of the foremost political leaders in Bengal due to his rise from being a regional strongman to being the face of the BJP in Bengal.
