Who is Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee’s ex-aide, now a challenger?

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari on Friday filed his nomination papers to contest from Nandigram constituency in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The former Trinamool Congress leader will now be up against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who happens to be contesting in the same constituency. But who is he and why is he so important for the BJP in the elections?

Former member of the Congress, Adhikari had joined TMC after Banerjee formed the party in 1998, according to The Indian Express. As an MLA, he led the  the anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram, which was a key factor behind TMC overthrowing the 34-year Left Front government in 2011.

Adhikari had defeated CPM leader Lakshman Seth in Tamluk by 1.73 lakh votes in 2009. He was made Transport Minister after he won the Nandigram Assembly seat in 2016. 

Adhikari was interrogated by the CBI regarding the Saradha chit fund scam in 2014 and was also seen in purported video footage of the Narada scam.

Adhikari made a major role for TMC in 16 Assembly seats in East Midnapore as well as in seats in West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Murshidabad and Malda districts.

That Adhikari holds quite the power and influence in Bengal can be understood by how he helped TMC secure victories in all three bypolls including in Kharagpur Sadar, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh’s constituency, when he was made the party’s in-charge of Assembly bypolls. 

West Bengal Assembly elections will begin from March 27 and votes will be counted on May 2.