Suvendu Adhikari was arguably the second most highly effective particular person in the Trinamool Congress following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His political journey began in 2006 when he won the Kanthi Dakshin assembly constituency for the then opposition celebration, TMC, for the very first time. Barely a year into politics, Suvendu Adhikari shot to prominence following he galvanised unprecedented assistance for the Nandigram movement — that catapulted Mamata Banerjee and her celebration to energy in West Bengal. Suvendu spearheaded the complete anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007.
Impressed by his overall performance, Mamata Banerjee appointed Suvendu the TMC’s in-charge of 3 districts — Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bankura. He effectively expanded the party’s base in these 3 districts that contributed to TMC’s rise in the state. In 2009, Suvendu was elected to Lok Sabha from Tamluk. He defeated CPI-M’s strongman Lakshman Seth by 1.72 lakh votes. He retained the Tamluk parliamentary constituency by defeating CPI-M’s Ibrahim Ali in 2014.
In 2016, the TMC once more fielded him in the assembly election from Nandigram. He was pitted against Abdul Kadir Sheikh, joint candidate of Left Front and Congress. Suvendu won the contest hands down, polling more than 67 % of votes in Nandigram. After his spectacular win, Mamata Banerjee produced him the Minister of Transport. In 2018, he was also provided the charge of the Environment Ministry.
Why fallout with CM Mamata Banerjee
Adhikari was the second most highly effective particular person in the celebration. But this energy equation started to transform with the rise of Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek in the celebration and entry of poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Suvendu, who was credited for the accomplishment of the Nandigram movement that helped Mamata acquire energy in Bengal, was not comfy with new energy equations and rise of Kishor and Abhishek in TMC. Suvendu was also at odds with Mamata Banerjee for some appointments at district observer level. Today, BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya mentioned that Suvendu was upset with Mamata Banerjee’s arrogance and corruption.
Why it matters for TMC
Suvendu’s exit from the TMC would be the greatest blow for Mamata Banerjee. So far, he has resigned as minister but continues to be the MLA and in TMC. Senior TMC leader and MP Saugata Ray confirmed that Suvendu has not resigned from the celebration and will not go to Delhi. However, the buzz is that he will join the BJP — a move that would place BJP in a position to challenge Mamata in 2021. Suvendu’s move would be important thinking about his influence more than some leaders in the TMC. Just the other day when Suvendu held a rally with out the TMC banner, six MLAs had been with him on the stage. The greatest be concerned for Mamata now is how to preserve her flock with each other as there will be a worry that much more and much more celebration MLAs could jump the ship with Suvendu.
Suvendu, whose father Sisir Adhikary is TMC MP from Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, alone commands considerable clout in 35-40 assembly constituencies that are in West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and components of Birbhum. Till currently, eight MLAs, such as Mihir Goswami, from TMC have joined the BJP.
Suvendu’s entry in the saffron camp would add much more firepower amongst its cadres and workers against the TMC and Mamata Banerjee who has currently lost close lieutenant Mukul Roy to the BJP. The TMC knows it properly following the 2019 Lok Sabha election in which BJP shocked nearly everybody by winning 18 of 42 seats with close to 41 per cent vote share. Mamata Banerjee’s TMC won 22 seats, 12 much less than what it had bagged in 2014. The BJP, on the other hand, upped its tally by 16 seats. The distinction of vote percentage amongst each the parties came down to just more than 3 per cent — BJP got 40.64 per cent and TMC 43.69 per cent. Going by its overall performance in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP would be hoping to dethrone Mamata subsequent year by deploying all its arsenal in command.