From TMC Loyalist to BJP’s Strongest Face, Suvendu Adhikari’s Political Story
Suvendu Adhikari is considered one of the most prominent political figures in West Bengal today. Known for his strong public presence and influential leadership, he has played an important role in shaping the state’s political environment over the last two decades. His political journey, marked by major shifts and fierce electoral battles, has kept him at the center of Bengal politics. Early Political Journey He was born on December 15, 1970, in Purba Medinipur district, Suvendu Adhikari belongs to a politically active family. His father, Sisir Adhikari, has also been an influential leader in the state. Inspired by public life from an early age, Suvendu gradually built his political career through grassroots involvement and local leadership. He first gained recognition while working with the All India Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. Over time, he became one of the party’s most trusted organizers, especially in the Midnapore region. Rise During the Nandigram Movement Suvendu Adhikari came into the spotlight during the Nandigram Movement in 2007. The protests erupted against a proposed land acquisition project and turned into a major political turning point in West Bengal. Adhikari emerged as one of the leading faces of the movement, connecting strongly with farmers and local communities. The agitation weakened the influence of the Left Front government and strengthened the Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2011 Assembly elections. Joining the BJP In 2020, Suvendu Adhikari made headlines after leaving the Trinamool Congress and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. His move was viewed as a major political development in the state, as he was considered a powerful regional leader with significant public support. The political rivalry between Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee intensified during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Contesting from Nandigram, he defeated Mamata Banerjee in one of the most closely followed electoral contests in the country. Present Political Role At present, Suvendu Adhikari serves as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. He regularly raises issues related to governance, corruption, law and order, and political violence in the state. Supporters see him as an energetic and determined leader, while opponents often criticize his aggressive political approach. Despite political differences, his influence in Bengal politics remains significant. Suvendu Adhikari’s political career reflects determination, strategic leadership, and strong grassroots connection. From being an important member of the Trinamool Congress to becoming a leading face of the BJP in West Bengal, his journey has been filled with major political developments. As the state’s politics continue to evolve, Adhikari is expected to remain a major player in the years to come.
From Student Leader to Assam CM Twice: The Rise of Himanta Biswa Sarma
Himanta Biswa Sarma, who became the Chief Minister of Assam for two consecutive terms on 12 May 2026, was born on 1 February 1969 in Jorhat, Assam. His father Kailash Nath Sarma was an Assamese poet and novelist and mother Mrinalini Devi was a litterateur. Himanta Biswa Sarma graduated from Kamrup Academy Higher Secondary School, Guwahati. He also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Cotton College, Guwahati and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Guwahati University in 1990 and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Guwahati University in 1992. Sarma also obtained an LL.B. from Government Law College, Guwahati in 1995 and practiced law in the Guwahati High Court for the next five years before being elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2001. In 2006, he obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science from Guwahati University. Regarding his political career, he entered politics while still in college. Sarma served as the General Secretary of the Students’ Union while studying at Cotton College in 1991-92. Sarma’s legislative career began when Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi entrusted him with the state ministries of Agriculture and Planning and Development in 2001. Subsequently, Sarma’s credibility within the party grew, and he was entrusted with more prominent roles, including cabinet ministership, during Gogoi’s second and third terms. During his tenure as Minister of Health and Education, Sarma was highly praised for his strategic skills and actions. He also played a key role in managing the 2011 assembly election campaign, helping the party secure a landslide victory. Following this, Sarma resigned from the Assembly and the Congress party in 2015 due to differences of opinion. Hemanta Biswa Sarma joined the BJP in August 2015. The party entrusted him with the responsibility of forming alliances with other parties in the state and strategizing for the BJP’s victory in the 2016 state elections, the party’s first in the state. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won the election, and Sarma was appointed a cabinet minister, holding key portfolios such as finance, education, and health. In 2021, when the BJP and its allies won the elections for the second consecutive time, Sarma was appointed the 15th Chief Minister of the state. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Assam achieved several significant economic and cultural achievements. Subsequently, in 2026, the BJP won a landslide victory in the assembly elections, returning to power for the third consecutive time, and Biswa Sarma became the Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive time.
Biswa took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for a 2nd consecutive term…
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term. Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office to Sarma at a grand ceremony held at the Veterinary Ground in Guwahati’s Khanapara area on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Pabitra Margherita attended the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states, as well as BJP President Nitin Naveen, also attended the ceremony. Sarma’s mother Mrinalini Devi, wife Rinki Bhuyan Sarma, son Nandil Biswa Sarma, and daughter Sukanya Sarma were also present in ceremony. Biswa Sarma became the first non-Congress Chief Minister to be sworn in for a second consecutive term in Assam. The four MLAs who took oath along with Sarma included Ajanta Neog and Rameshwar Teli of the BJP, Atul Bora of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Charan Boro of the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). Himanta Biswa Sarma sought the blessings of Maa Kamakhya before the swearing-in ceremony, wishing “peace, progress, and prosperity” for the people of the state. In a post, he said that with the blessings of Maa Kamakhya and Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, Assam will move forward on the path of development as the NDA government led by Sarma begins its third term in the state from today. He wrote, “May the blessings of Maa Kamakhya and Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev illuminate the lives of all the people of Assam and open new avenues of peace, progress, and prosperity. With their blessings, Assam will touch new heights of development in the days to come.”
Vande Mataram vs Tamil Thai Valthu, Vijay Government Faces First Major Controversy
A controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the order in which “Vande Mataram” and “Tamil Thai Valthu” were played during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. The issue has even created tensions between the ruling TVK and its alliance partner VCK. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan criticized Chief Minister Vijay, calling the move a violation of Tamil Nadu’s established traditions. He also raised questions about the ideological stand of Vijay’s party, TVK.The new government in Tamil Nadu has barely completed a day in office, yet differences between TVK and its allies have already begun to surface. Thirumavalavan objected to “Vande Mataram” being played before “Tamil Thai Valthu” at the ceremony. Traditionally, official government events in Tamil Nadu begin with “Tamil Thai Valthu,” the state song. According to VCK, Vijay’s ceremony reversed the order by first playing “Vande Mataram” and then “Tamil Thai Valthu.” Thirumavalavan demanded an explanation from TVK and questioned whether the party intended to prioritize “Vande Mataram” over the Tamil state song in the future. The controversy has also put pressure on the alliance parties that supported Vijay’s government. Thirumavalavan stated that the Chief Minister should clarify whether “Tamil Thai Valthu” would continue to receive due respect in official events. Meanwhile, after assuming office, Chief Minister Vijay said that the previous government had left Tamil Nadu with a debt of ₹10 lakh crore and had emptied the state treasury. Responding to this statement, Thirumavalavan said that presenting only the total debt figures creates unnecessary fear among the public. He argued that state debt should always be assessed in proportion to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). According to him, Tamil Nadu’s debt still remains within the limits set by the 15th Finance Commission. He added that highlighting only the debt numbers appeared politically motivated. At the same time, Thirumavalavan welcomed Vijay’s three early announcements, which included measures for de-addiction, women’s safety, and free electricity up to 200 units. He also appealed to the Chief Minister to assure the people of Tamil Nadu that his government would remain completely secular.
BJP Leaders Take Oath In Kolkata While Abhishek Banerjee Vows Strong Opposition
The BJP has scripted history in Kolkata; for the first time since independence, the party has formed its own government. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where Suvendu Adhikari took the oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. During the event, Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Suvendu Adhikari. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, and Amit Shah, alongside several other Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, senior leaders, and thousands of BJP workers and supporters. It is worth noting that, alongside Suvendu Adhikari, five other MLAs also took the oath as ministers; these include Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kritaniya, Khudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik. Notably, Dilip Ghosh has previously served as the BJP’s State President in Bengal and currently holds the position of National Vice President of the party. Many prominent BJP leaders were present at Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in ceremony. Additionally, leaders and Chief Ministers from the NDA’s alliance partners also attended the event. Senior leaders remarked that the presence of such high-profile figures underscores the significance of the BJP forming its first-ever government in West Bengal. Abhishek Banerjee Vows Strong Opposition While the BJP’s swearing-in ceremony was taking place in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee stated that his party would play the role of a strong, vocal, and uncompromising opposition—both in Delhi and in Bengal. Furthermore, he appealed to Trinamool supporters and workers to remain strong and united during these challenging times. Meanwhile, a festive atmosphere prevailed at Suvendu Adhikari’s residence in Kanthi following his elevation to the post of Chief Minister of Bengal. In Kolkata, BJP workers gathered outside his family home to celebrate the occasion during the swearing-in ceremony.
Political Violence Explodes in Bengal, BJP Leader’s Close Aide Killed
Just before the oath-taking ceremony in West Bengal, a major political violence incident shook the state. BJP senior leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant, Chandranath Rath (42), was shot dead on Wednesday night around 10:30 PM in Madhyamgram, located in North 24 Parganas district. According to reports, Chandranath was returning home to Madhyamgram from Kolkata in a Scorpio vehicle. He was seated beside the driver, while another person was also inside the vehicle. The attack took place between Tala and Madhyamgram, around 20 kilometers from Kolkata. Reports suggest that a car approached from behind and suddenly blocked the Scorpio’s path. Soon after, an attacker arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire from the left side of the vehicle, firing nearly 6 to 10 rounds. Chandranath Rath was hit by four bullets, including two that pierced through his chest and one in the abdomen. The driver, Buddhadev Ber, was also injured in the firing and remains in critical condition. After the attack, the assailants abandoned the car used to block the road and escaped on the motorcycle. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared Chandranath dead. The BJP has accused the TMC of being behind the murder. According to forensic reports, the attackers used a Glock 47X pistol — a modern weapon believed to be used by professional shooters rather than ordinary criminals. Police stated that the attackers were wearing helmets and the motorcycle did not have a number plate. The car used to stop the Scorpio has been seized, and officials suspect its registration number was fake. Nearly an hour after this incident, around 12:30 AM, another BJP worker named Rohit Roy was reportedly shot at in Basirhat district. His condition is also said to be critical. Reports claim that since the election results, five people linked to political violence have lost their lives — including three BJP members and two associated with the TMC. Suvendu Adhikari described the killing as a “planned murder” and appealed to party workers to maintain peace. He also stated that the BJP would begin a crackdown on “goons” in Bengal. Meanwhile, the TMC denied any involvement of its workers in the incident and demanded a CBI investigation into the case.
Replication of West Bengal and Assam Election Approach in Uttarakhand..
The BJP is adopting a unique strategy to connect directly with the public ahead of next year’s assembly elections in Uttarakhand. This approach was previously adopted in the assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam. To achieve a hat-trick of victories in the Assam assembly elections and defeat the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, the BJP’s strong organization was tested on many levels. A transparent system of constant communication and feedback with the public was developed, allowing the organization to correct its shortcomings from time to time. Similarly, in Bengal, this strategy helped identify voter-related issues with the organization at the booth level. Mandal-level meetings will be held every week The BJP is also adopting this strategy for next year’s assembly elections in Uttarakhand. This will help it understand the real problems of the public and increase direct engagement with them, thereby strengthening election preparations. In this regard, Mandal-level meetings will be held every week, district-level meetings every second week, and state-level meetings in the last week of the month. Following the success in Assam, pressure has increased to achieve a hat-trick in Uttarakhand as well. Due to this, BJP National President Nitin Naveen will be visiting Uttarakhand this month. During this time, he will review the government and organizational preparations for the upcoming elections. In view of this, the organization has focused special attention on the 23 assembly seats held by the opposition and independents. The 47 constituencies where BJP MLAs are facing booth-wise problems will be addressed and voters will be contacted. BJP State General Secretary Organization Kundan Parihar stated that the victory in Bengal and Assam has boosted the BJP’s morale. The success achieved by the organization in these states will be replicated in Uttarakhand. For this purpose, the organization will hold a Mandal-level meeting every week.
Vijay’s Political Blockbuster, TVK Surges Past 100 Seats
The results of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections have surprised everyone. Polls are being announced today for Tamil Nadu’s 234 assembly seats. Actor Vijay Thalapathy, who emerged as the biggest face of the assembly elections, has surprised the Dravidian parties in the state. Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is rapidly moving towards victory. So far, in the vote count, Vijay’s party, TVK, has surpassed 107, becoming the largest party. However, the counting of votes is still ongoing. The election results for the two-year-old political party have placed it in the league of legendary actor-turned-politicians like N.T. Rama Rao, M.G. Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa. TVK’s victory marks a historic turning point and marks the beginning of a new political era, as for the first time since June 1977, a government can be formed in Tamil Nadu without the dominance of the DMK and AIADMK. With this, he has proven that a screen hero can also run a state. These election results prove that he has earned not only money but also the love of the people in his 33-year film career, which has already translated into votes for him in the election. It can be said that the public has loved Thalapathy not only on screen but also on the ground. After the trends emerged, there was tremendous support for Vijay. Meanwhile, celebrations prevailed at Vijay’s home. The family celebrated the party’s impressive performance by singing “Whistle Podu.” Workers outside the party headquarters in Chennai also celebrated with great enthusiasm as the latest trends showed his party emerging as the largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. A large number of excited workers and supporters gathered outside the party office, waving flags and distributing sweets to celebrate the party’s success. TVK National Spokesperson Felix Gerald said, “You will see that there will be no need for any alliance. I can assure you that we will form the government on our own. There are no ifs and buts. This is a very clear mandate.” The message is clear: the public has put an end to the politics of loot, corruption and nepotism. This is the end of dynasty politics, this is the end of the DMK.
After Voting, Chaos: EVM Controversy Heats Up Bengal Politics
Election-related tensions in West Bengal have escalated beyond the usual patterns of political friction, drawing sharp reactions from parties and observers alike. The ongoing developments have created an atmosphere of uncertainty even after polling in key phases has concluded. On Thursday, workers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed at multiple locations across the state. Reports indicate heated exchanges between political representatives and local authorities, alongside protests over alleged irregularities in the handling and storage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in designated strong rooms. In a significant and rare move, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the strong room at Bhabanipur in Kolkata. Her presence at the site during this sensitive stage of the electoral process has intensified political debate, with opposition parties questioning the intent while TMC leaders defended the move as a step to ensure transparency. The controversy surrounding EVM security, which began on Thursday evening, continued into Friday. The TMC accused the Election Commission of India of acting in a biased manner and favoring the opposition. Escalating the matter legally, the party approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging a decision taken by the Chief Electoral Officer. West Bengal had recorded polling for 142 assembly constituencies in the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. Traditionally, the intensity of political confrontations subsides after voting concludes, but the current scenario suggests otherwise, with tensions persisting across districts. Political analysts point out that several unprecedented incidents have marked the 2026 Assembly elections in the state. While the BJP and TMC remain locked in a direct confrontation, experts themselves are divided over the fairness and management of the electoral process, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of West Bengal’s political landscape.
EVM Controversy Sparks Security Clampdown in Kolkata Ahead of Results
Following a high-voltage controversy over alleged EVM tampering in Kolkata ahead of vote counting, authorities have tightened security and imposed strict restrictions. After Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised concerns about “suspicious activities,” police banned all forms of public gatherings in seven sensitive locations across the city. The restrictions have been enforced in areas including Sahid Khudiram Bose Road, Judge’s Court Road, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour Road, Lord Sinha Hall, Naresh Mitra Sarani (Beltala Road), and Pramathesh Barua Sarani. Security has also been significantly strengthened around strong rooms where EVMs are stored, as well as at counting centres. At Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, which houses EVMs from several constituencies in north and east Kolkata, additional central forces and armed police personnel have been deployed. Officials stated that the entire area is under close supervision of senior officers. Meanwhile, tensions escalated outside Netaji Indoor Stadium, where workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TMC engaged in sloganeering and a brief clash. TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a protest at the site. Amid the situation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Shakhawat Memorial counting centre and remained there for some time. However, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal dismissed the allegations, stating that all strong rooms were sealed properly after polling in the presence of candidates and officials. He clarified that postal ballots were being sorted using torchlight due to the absence of electricity inside strong rooms—a standard protocol—which was misinterpreted as suspicious activity. According to him, the entire process remains secure and transparent, with all stakeholders kept informed.