MENTOR VS PROTÉGÉ: SUVENDU ADHIKARI’S RISE TURNS INTO DIRECT CHALLENGE TO MAMATA IN BENGAL POLITICS

Kolkata | May 4, 2026

 Suvendu Adhikari, one of West Bengal’s most influential political figures, has scripted a remarkable and controversial political journey—from a grassroots Congress worker to a key challenger of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His trajectory now signals a high-stakes power battle that could reshape the state’s leadership in the coming years.

Adhikari began his political career with the Indian National Congress, winning his first election as a corporator. He later shifted to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), where he quickly rose through the ranks. In East Midnapore, he built a formidable grassroots network, playing a decisive role in strengthening the party’s organizational base at the ground level.

His prominence grew during mass movements like the Nandigram Movement, which became a turning point in Bengal politics and helped the TMC challenge the long-standing dominance of the Left Front. Adhikari’s close involvement in such protests cemented his image as a mass leader and key strategist behind TMC’s rise.

However, internal differences began to surface when Mamata Banerjee reportedly gave increasing importance to her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. This shift in power dynamics did not sit well with Adhikari, leading to a dramatic fallout within the party. In a major political move, he resigned from TMC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2020, marking a turning point in Bengal’s political landscape.

Having learned the nuances of politics under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, Adhikari has now emerged as one of her fiercest opponents. His rapid rise within the BJP and aggressive political positioning indicate that he is aiming for the top post, directly challenging his former mentor.

 As Bengal heads into future electoral battles, the clash between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari is no longer just political—it has become deeply personal and symbolic. The big question now: can the protégé outgrow the mentor and capture the Chief Minister’s chair in the years ahead?