Suvendu Adhikari won Nandigram for the third time in a row. He previously won the mandate in 2016 and 2021. In 2026, he secured victory by a margin of over 9,000 votes. The result reaffirms his position as the undisputed leader of the region.
In this election, Adhikari contested two constituencies, Nandigram and Bhabanipur. He won both mandates by an emphatic margin.
He visited Bhabanipur on Tuesday evening to celebrate with party workers. He returned to his Nandigram fort on Wednesday morning.
The BJP leader was greeted by massive crowds on his arrival. He first offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in the area.
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The overwhelming public support reflected his deep roots in the region. Locals have long referred to him as a “son of the soil”.
Adhikari addressed the crowd with a series of emphatic statements. “I will repay Nandigram’s debt,” he told his supporters. He also declared that BJP will remain in power for 100 years.
Adhikari, who was once Mamata Banerjee’s right-hand man in the TMC, urged party workers to shun violence and respect legal processes.
“Action will be taken against all by legal means,” he said firmly.
Since he won two seats, the rules require him to vacate one of them at short notice. He said the decision was entirely up to the party. “Be it Bhabanipur or Nandigram, I am always with you,” he assured the crowd. He vowed to stay by their side regardless of the final decision.
He expressed gratitude to the BJP workers and the families of the martyrs. He admitted that the people of Nandigram elected him MP twice and MLA thrice. He promised to transform the region and honor their continued trust in him.
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Adhikari’s name is now emerging as a possible chief ministerial face for Bengal. For years, Bengal was ruled by leaders based in Calcutta. The people of Nandigram made their preference clear from the stage. They want Kanthi boy to fill CMO.
“The BJP alone will rule Bengal for the next 100 years,” Suvendu Adhikari declared before leaving.
Suvendu Adhikari Next Bengal CM?
Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the CM post in Bengal. The meeting of the legislative party is scheduled for May 8. BJP national leader Amit Shah is expected to attend the meeting. Party insiders indicate that no major surprises are expected regarding the final decision.
The political history of Bengal provides an interesting background to this development. The chief ministers of the state traditionally come from upper caste communities. Despite the large Scheduled Caste population, no OBC, SC or ST leader has served as CM.
This led to speculation about balanced representation through key administrative roles. The other contender, State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, is also a Brahmin. According to reports, Suvendu Adhikari is also a Brahmin.
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However, party sources suggest that caste may not be the deciding factor this time.
Organizational strength, administrative experience and electoral strategy are considered more important. The BJP is also keeping a close eye on the Lok Sabha elections in 2029. Adhikari is widely seen as having all the qualities the party requires at present.
A BJP MP told The New Indian Express that Adhikari’s elevation cannot be ruled out. He drew a parallel with the Chief Minister of Bihar.
Samik Bhattacharya is expected to formally propose Adhikari’s name in the meeting. A senior leader is likely to second the nomination.
Several BJP insiders told The New Indian Express that Adhikari is almost certain to become the chief minister. However, there may be surprises.
“What the party high command will decide at the eleventh hour and whether it will surprise everyone, only God knows,” a senior BJP leader told the publication.
