Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 21, 2025, Kolkata : Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, has increasingly been making headlines with his outspoken criticism of the state’s ruling party. His frequent remarks on a wide range of issues have positioned him as a vocal critic of the Mamata Banerjee-led government, and his political maneuvering seems to have taken on an intensified tone in recent times.
Suvendu’s claim to leadership in the state has been questioned by many, especially given his contentious history and frequent criticism of the ruling party. Recently, when asked about a cricket match between India and Pakistan, in the backdrop of the Pahalgaon incident, the journalist inquired if his love for the game was overshadowing his patriotism. His response was striking: “I am the leader of the state. My boundaries are within the state. Those who are national leaders will talk about such matters.” This response hints at his nuanced approach — while he positions himself as a leader concerned primarily with state issues, his actions and remarks seem to echo his larger ambitions.
Adhikari’s recent comments once again put him in direct opposition to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In a speech, he praised Biswajit Sarkar for his relentless fight for justice following his brother’s murder, crediting Sarkar’s efforts with the CBI’s involvement in the case. This marked a stark contrast to his regular criticisms of TMC leadership, highlighting his stance as an advocate for justice, especially when it concerns what he deems as corruption or injustice within the ruling party.
Suvendu did not stop there, speaking out against the state’s handling of various criminal activities. His criticism extended to the recent arrest of the accused in the Chandan Mishra murder case, where a notorious gangster was apprehended after escaping medical parole. Adhikari remarked that “Bengal has become a haven for criminals and goons,” a statement that further painted the state government in a negative light.
Additionally, Adhikari raised concerns over the alleged attacks on BJP MLAs in Cooch Behar, blaming “Trinamool goons” for these incidents. Despite evidence from the CISF and photographic documentation, he claimed the police had failed to take action, further fueling his narrative of lawlessness and state-sponsored violence under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.
A seasoned political figure, Suvendu has held a variety of influential positions. He was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition and head of the BJP’s West Bengal unit in May 2021. Before his transition to the BJP, he served in the TMC government in several key positions, including Minister of Transport and Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources from 2016 to 2020. His political career is marked by significant milestones — from his role in the Nandigram movement in 2007, where he led protests against land acquisition, to his eventual shift to the BJP in 2020. His political lineage is just as notable, being the son of Sisir Adhikari, a Member of Parliament and former Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh government.
However, his time in TMC was far from smooth. Adhikari’s decision to spearhead the anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram propelled Mamata Banerjee to prominence, making him a key figure in West Bengal’s political landscape. While his leadership helped TMC expand in districts like Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, and Bankura, it was not without controversy. The CID had alleged that he had armed Maoists to resist the Left Front government, a claim he vehemently denied.
Suvendu’s most significant political triumph came in 2021 when he defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, a high-profile battle in the state assembly elections. His victory, however, has been contested by Banerjee, who has filed an election petition in the Calcutta High Court, challenging the results.
Despite his victories and vocal opposition to the state government, Adhikari’s political career has not been without scrutiny. He was interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Saradha financial scandal in 2014. Additionally, he has been linked to the Narada sting operation case, where several TMC leaders, including Adhikari, were allegedly caught on camera accepting bribes in exchange for political favors.
Suvendu Adhikari remains a polarizing figure in West Bengal politics. His criticisms of the ruling party, combined with his claims of being the true leader of the state, show that he is positioning himself as the leader of the opposition in both practice and perception. While some view his actions as a call for accountability, others see them as politically motivated. What is certain is that Adhikari’s voice will continue to echo in the state’s political discourse for the foreseeable future.