Suvendu Adhikari
Chief Minister, West Bengal
Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
In office since
9 May 2026
Tenure
0.3 years
Born
1970, Contai, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal
✦ Education
B.A.
Contai College, Purba Medinipur
✦ Prior Role
Leader of Opposition, West Bengal Legislative Assembly (2021–2026); MLA Nandigram (2021–); Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (2014–2020, TMC era)
✦ Context & Governance Notes
Suvendu Adhikari defected from TMC to BJP in December 2020 and narrowly defeated Mamata Banerjee in the high-profile Nandigram constituency in 2021. BJP won the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, ending TMC's 15-year rule under Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari was BJP's chief ministerial face in the campaign. West Bengal had long been considered a stronghold of regional parties (CPI(M) until 2011, TMC until 2026).
Quick Facts
- Full Name
- Suvendu Adhikari
- Role
- Chief Minister, West Bengal
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Alliance
- NDA
- In Office Since
- 2026-05-09
- Tenure
- 0.3 years
- Birth Year
- 1970
- Birthplace
- Contai, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal
Sources
Education from EC affidavits; tenure data from official government records.