Suvendu Adhikari, once among Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted lieutenants, has emerged as one of her fiercest political challengers in West Bengal. Now 57, Adhikari serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and is a key face of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.
His political journey began in the Indian National Congress in 1995, before he moved to the Trinamool Congress in 1998, playing a crucial role in strengthening the party at the grassroots. He rose to prominence during the Nandigram movement, where he led protests against land acquisition and headed the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee. His work during the agitation cemented his image as a “Bhumiputra” leader in the Medinipur region.
Adhikari’s electoral record is significant. He has been elected MLA from Kanthi Dakshin and Nandigram, and twice served as MP from Tamluk in 2009 and 2014. He also held a ministerial position in the West Bengal government between 2016 and 2020.
However, Adhikari's equation with Mamata soured amid internal shifts within the TMC, particularly with the rise of Abhishek Banerjee. In December 2020, Adhikari crossed over to the BJP, marking a turning point in Bengal politics.
In 2021, he delivered a symbolic blow by defeating Banerjee in Nandigram by over 1,900 votes. In 2026, he has upped the ante further, taking the fight directly to Banerjee’s home turf in Bhabanipur, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
The Election Commission has frozen the original Trinamool Congress party name and its twin flower symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal by-polls following a split. The commission allotted temporary identities to both factions: Mamata Banerjee's camp received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the football player symbol, while the rebel faction was named Democratic Trinamool Congress with the envelope symbol. The rebel camp claimed the support of 64 out of 80 MLAs. Both sides traded charges, with the rebel faction criticising party functioning and Mamata's camp calling the decision undemocratic. Opposition allies condemned the move, while the BJP dismissed any involvement in the internal feud.
On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reflected on Modi's leadership style, work ethic, and national security governance.
A controversy has erupted over the embezzlement of donations for the Ayodhya Ram Temple, leading to the resignations of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
The Trinamool Congress is facing an internal crisis as a rebellion within its ranks points toward a potential split. Nineteen rebel Members of Parliament have formally written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, seeking recognition as a separate bloc.
In a fresh blow to the Mamata Banerjee-led party, now Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the party and the Rajya Sabha.
A big milestone for the NDA government as Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes the country's longest continuously serving elected premier, completing 12 years in office.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari served jhalmuri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who became India's longest serving prime minister, during the NDA leaders' meeting at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
An India Today report details a political development as a Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament resigns from the Rajya Sabha and the party. Sources indicate the parliamentarian is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party after meeting the Assam Chief Minister in New Delhi. This marks the second such resignation from the Trinamool Congress within a week, pointing to defections across both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Rebel parliamentarians have reportedly held meetings in the national capital, affecting the party's parliamentary strength. The shrinking opposition numbers in the upper house could assist the ruling party at the centre in passing legislation, including delimitation and the women's reservation bill. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress is seeking legal assistance from the Congress party to navigate the crisis and challenge the defections. The situation remains developing as more parliamentarians are reportedly considering switching allegiances in the coming days.
This episode of So Sorry is a hilarious take on how Union Home Minister Amit Shah planned to send out illegal immigrants from West Bengal ahead of the assembly polls and how after winning the state, he, along with CM Suvendu Adhikari, is fulfilling the BJP's poll promise of a 'Ghuspaithiya-mukt' West Bengal.
The West Bengal CID has launched a probe into allegations of forged signatures on a Trinamool Congress (TMC) letter that endorsed Sovondeb Chattopadhay as the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly.
The West Bengal government has transferred approximately 600 hectares of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) to facilitate fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.
Siddaramaiah has resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, facilitating the transition of leadership to DK Shivakumar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the ISKCON temple in Mayapur and performed a traditional cow worship ceremony on the occasion of Bakrid.
A communal tensions erupted in a Mira Road housing society in Maharashtra's Thane after residents brought goats into the premises ahead of Bakrid.
Newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who is in the national capital for his first official visit since assuming office, met President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He will also meet Prime Minister Modi later today.
A political row has erupted in West Bengal after the Suvendu Adhikari-led government made the recitation of Vande Mataram compulsory in madrasas and schools.
The West Bengal government has issued a formal notification making it mandatory to sing the national song before classes begin across all state-run and state-aided madrassas.
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the fuel prices hike. Another fuel jolt for the common man as petrol and diesel prices were once again hiked across the country.
Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan has withdrawn from the upcoming repolling in the Falta constituency, scheduled for May 21.
Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has decided to retain the Bhabanipur assembly constituency while vacating the Nandigram seat.
