Suvendu Adhikari Vows to Defeat Mamata — In a fiery declaration that has reignited Bengal’s political temperature, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari vowed that his party will defeat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her home constituency of Bhabanipur during the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
The announcement came at a massive rally in Kolkata organised to protest against the attack on BJP MP Khagen Murmu, an incident that the saffron party has framed as part of a growing pattern of political violence in West Bengal.
The rally, marked by traditional tribal participation and charged speeches, was both a protest and a political statement — one that carried undertones of revenge, justice, and a call for regime change.
Adhikari’s promise to make Mamata a “former chief minister” has not only electrified BJP supporters but also challenged the very foundation of Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s bastion politics in Bengal.
A Rally That Turned Into a Political Call to Arms
The BJP’s rally, held days after the October 6 assault on MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, saw large tribal participation from across north and south Bengal.
The party described the attack as “a brutal assault on democracy and the dignity of tribal communities”, accusing TMC of orchestrating violence to suppress dissent.
Addressing the crowd, Suvendu Adhikari declared:
“The BJP will defeat Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur in 2026. After the special revision of the electoral rolls, she will lose her own seat. We will make her a former chief minister.”
He added that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had already taken leads in five out of eight wards in Bhabanipur — a claim aimed at portraying the constituency as politically ripe for change.
Adhikari’s tone was sharp and deliberate. He invoked the name of Khagen Murmu repeatedly, calling on tribal communities to take “revenge through votes.”
The crowd responded with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, signaling a fusion of cultural symbolism and political messaging.
The Murmu Incident and BJP’s Tribal Outreach
According to the BJP, Khagen Murmu, a tribal MP from North Malda, was attacked by alleged Trinamool supporters while visiting flood-hit areas. The party claims that the assault was both politically motivated and targeted against a tribal representative.
The incident has become a rallying point for the BJP, which has intensified its campaign to consolidate tribal votes, especially in North Bengal and parts of Jungle Mahal — regions with significant Scheduled Tribe populations.
The BJP’s decision to hold a massive rally in Kolkata instead of Jalpaiguri or Siliguri was strategic: it transformed a regional grievance into a statewide political issue, linking the Murmu attack to what it calls a “systemic culture of violence” under TMC rule.
Adhikari framed the issue as symbolic of broader oppression:
“They think they can silence us through intimidation. But the blood of Khagen Murmu will not go in vain. Bengal’s tribals, Hindus, and common people will rise together in 2026.”
For further information on the context of Bengal’s tribal representation, visit:
Bhabanipur: The Heart of Mamata Banerjee’s Power
The Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata is not just any legislative seat — it is the political nerve centre of Mamata Banerjee’s career.
After losing to Adhikari in Nandigram during the 2021 Assembly elections, Mamata had contested and won Bhabanipur in a by-election, reclaiming her position as Chief Minister.
Bhabanipur is symbolic of Trinamool’s urban base, cultural roots, and elite voter connect. It represents the core of Mamata’s identity politics — cosmopolitan yet grounded, Bengali yet inclusive.
That Adhikari would now target Bhabanipur shows BJP’s willingness to challenge Mamata not in the margins, but at the epicentre of her influence.
Adhikari’s Political Journey and Rivalry with Mamata
Suvendu Adhikari’s political journey from TMC heavyweight to BJP’s key leader mirrors Bengal’s shifting political terrain.
Once considered one of Mamata’s most trusted lieutenants, Adhikari’s defection to the BJP in 2020 ahead of the Assembly elections was seen as a major blow to the Trinamool.
His narrow victory over Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram by around 1,956 votes transformed him into the face of BJP’s Bengal challenge.
His current vow to defeat Mamata in Bhabanipur is not just political theatre — it’s a personal vendetta intertwined with ideological rivalry.
The Nandigram battle was a political duel; Bhabanipur, however, is a war for legitimacy.
The Political Calculus Behind the Bhabanipur Challenge
1. Symbolism and Psychological Warfare
By declaring a mission to defeat Mamata in Bhabanipur, BJP is waging psychological warfare.
It sends a clear message: “No seat is safe.”
This mirrors BJP’s national strategy of confronting dominant regional leaders on their home turf — a move designed to shake the confidence of ruling establishments.
2. 2024 Lok Sabha Results as a Base
The BJP’s claim of having led in five out of eight Bhabanipur wards in 2024 provides empirical justification for its confidence.
However, urban Kolkata remains TMC’s stronghold, meaning the BJP’s optimism will have to be backed by micro-level booth management and voter outreach.
3. Voter Roll Revision and Data Operations
Adhikari’s mention of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls highlights BJP’s focus on ensuring cleaner, updated voter lists — a crucial aspect given the allegations of irregularities in past polls.
Such a move also reflects the party’s increasing dependence on data-driven electioneering, a hallmark of its national campaigns.
Learn more about SIR and election procedures at:
TMC’s Response: Local Roots vs Outsider Politics
In response, the Trinamool Congress dismissed Adhikari’s comments as political posturing.
Party leaders accused BJP of trying to “import outsiders” to change the voter composition of Bhabanipur.
Mamata Banerjee herself hinted at an “organized attempt” to alter demographics, claiming that the BJP was trying to fill the constituency with outsiders (bohiragoto) — a charge that resonates deeply with her base.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said:
“They may talk big, but Bhabanipur is Mamata’s home. She has deep emotional and social connections with the people here. The BJP cannot break that bond with fake narratives.”
TMC’s counter-strategy will likely involve hyper-local mobilization, door-to-door campaigns, and narrative-building around Mamata’s governance record — particularly on welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Duare Sarkar, and Swasthya Sathi.
More details about these schemes can be found on the official West Bengal Government Portal.
Internal BJP Dynamics: Who Will Contest Bhabanipur?
Interestingly, while Adhikari made the bold proclamation, he did not confirm whether he himself would contest from Bhabanipur.
He said,
“Whoever becomes the BJP candidate from Bhabanipur will defeat Mamata Banerjee.”
This ambiguity suggests internal strategic deliberation within the BJP — whether to field a strong local face, a woman candidate, or a national figurehead.
Given the prestige associated with the seat, the party will weigh both symbolic impact and winnability.
Why Bhabanipur Is More Than Just a Seat
Bhabanipur is emblematic of Bengal’s urban political consciousness.
It reflects the social fabric of South Kolkata — a mix of middle-class Bengali households, traders, professionals, and minorities.
For Mamata, it represents continuity with her early political activism in Kalighat.
For the BJP, winning Bhabanipur would symbolize the cracking of TMC’s urban citadel — much like the BJP’s conquest of Delhi in 2014 or Tripura in 2018 symbolized deeper ideological shifts.
If BJP manages to unseat her in Bhabanipur, it would mark a historic rupture in Bengal’s political landscape — akin to the Left Front’s defeat in 2011 that had ended a 34-year-long regime.
Possible Scenarios Ahead of the 2026 Polls
1. BJP Victory in Bhabanipur
A BJP win would be nothing short of an earthquake in Bengal politics. It would:
- Erode Mamata’s moral authority.
- Energize BJP cadres statewide.
- Trigger defections from TMC.
- Position Suvendu Adhikari as the undisputed face of Bengal BJP.
2. Narrow BJP Lead
Even a slim win would shake TMC’s fortress narrative. It would prove that Bhabanipur is contestable and that the “Didi factor” is fading in urban pockets.
3. Mamata’s Defense with a Strong Margin
If Mamata wins comfortably, she will reclaim her invincibility, demoralizing BJP’s cadre.
It will also prove that Bengal’s urban voters continue to trust her leadership despite national political shifts.
4. Close Contest with Marginal Retention
A narrow TMC victory would still send tremors — forcing introspection within both camps and determining the tone of Bengal’s post-2026 political alliances.
The Road to 2026: Bengal’s Polarized Political Future
The 2026 Assembly elections will likely revolve around:
- Governance versus change — TMC showcasing social welfare and administration; BJP highlighting corruption, law and order, and identity politics.
- Urban versus rural divide — TMC’s strong rural base vs BJP’s growing urban appeal.
- Caste and community mobilization — both parties competing for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and minority votes.
- Central vs State conflict — Bengal’s federal tussles influencing public perception.
Political analysts argue that the BJP’s growing aggression in Bengal is not just electoral — it’s part of the party’s long-term mission to integrate Bengal more firmly into the national ideological mainstream.
For context on Bengal’s electoral history and statistics, refer to:
- Election Commission of India – Statistical Reports
- Lok Sabha Election 2024 Results – Official Portal
Suvendu Adhikari Vows to Defeat Mamata: The Stakes for Both Parties
For Mamata Banerjee and TMC
- Defending Bhabanipur is defending the legacy of the 2011 revolution that ended Left rule.
- Losing it would not just be a personal loss but a symbolic collapse of her leadership aura.
- TMC will likely deploy every political, emotional, and administrative resource to ensure a decisive win.
For Suvendu Adhikari and BJP
- A victory in Bhabanipur would catapult Suvendu Adhikari to national prominence, cementing him as the face of Bengal’s opposition.
- It would also mark BJP’s transition from challenger to contender in Bengal.
- Even a strong performance without victory would help project BJP as the only viable alternative to TMC.
Conclusion: Bhabanipur as the Battlefield of Bengal’s Political Future
The declaration by Suvendu Adhikari that he would defeat Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur has transformed Bengal’s political narrative months ahead of the official campaign season.
The BJP’s use of the Khagen Murmu attack as a rallying cry has introduced new dimensions of identity, community, and grievance politics.
As both sides sharpen their strategies, Bhabanipur is poised to become not just a constituency but a symbolic battleground — representing whether Bengal’s future lies in continuity or change.
What happens in Bhabanipur in 2026 will reverberate far beyond Kolkata — shaping the trajectory of West Bengal’s political identity, India’s federal balance, and the fate of two of the state’s most formidable politicians: Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari.
External reference sources for factual and civic context:
- Election Commission of India
- Government of West Bengal
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
