Suvendu Adhikari is a prominent BJP leader and West Bengal's Leader of Opposition. Born on December 15, 1970, he rose to fame in 2021 after defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram.
Adhikari is contesting from Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. He defected to the BJP in 2020 after internal power struggles and is now a key target for the party.
Here are 5 key facts about Suvendu Adhikari:
1. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Rabindra Bharati University, completed in 2011.
2. Adhikari began his legislative career in 2006 and served two terms in the Lok Sabha before resigning in 2016.
3. Since joining the BJP, he has faced 25 criminal cases, but 15 were quashed by the Calcutta High Court in October 2025.
4. He is a veteran of the co-operative movement and has served as Chairman of two co-operative banks.
5. Beyond politics, Adhikari is a businessperson, social worker, and sports enthusiast, particularly in organizing football at the district level and following cricket.
