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Bhabanipur Election Result: The Bharatiya Janata Party registered a landslide victory in the West Bengal assembly election by winning 20 of the total 294 constituencies. The saffron party is set to form its government in the state for the first time, ending the 15-year-old rule of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC). One of the major highlights of the election was Banerjee's defeat from Bhabanipur, considered her fortress, against her former colleague Suvendu Adhikari.

Days Of Struggle

Mamata Banerjee and Adhikari staged several large-scale protests, including at Singur and Nandigram, during the Left rule in Bengal. Adhikari considered Banerjee his 'didi' (big sister) and mentor and pledged to make her the chief minister of Bengal. Their dream came true in 2011 when the TMC dethroned the left forces from the eastern state after over three decades. While the TMC supremo became chief minister, Adhikari was given key portfolios in the cabinet.

How Did The Relations Deteriorate?

While they worked together for the first few years, the entry of Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata's nephew, changed the dynamics within the party. The TMC workers began considering Abhishek as the future of the party, leading to dissatisfaction among the followers of Adhikari.

Adhikari once managed the polls for Mamata Banerjee and ensured victories for her; however, a change in dynamics and a possible ambition broke their ties.

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How Did Adhikari Join BJP?

The BJP had its ambition of forming government in Bengal; however, the party lacked a strong regional leader. The saffron party began approaching Adhikari around 2019, around two years before the 2021 assembly polls. The firebrand leader joined the BJP on December 19, 2020, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah.

Suvendu: The Giant Slayer

The saffron party surprised the opponents in the 2021 polls by taking its tally from three seats to 77, a significant expansion within five years, especially in North Bengal. While the party could not form its government, Adhikari defeated his former boss in Nandigram by nearly 2,000 votes, sending a shockwave among the TMC followers.

While Adhikari could not end the TMC rule, he had set the tone and stage for a possible change in the next election. He took the biggest risk of his career by announcing that he will contest against Banerjee in Bhabanipur in 2026. He had defeated Banerjee in Nandigram; however, this was not supposed to be a cakewalk.

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The script completely changed in the recently conducted polls when the BJP swept most regions and ended up winning over 200 seats. Adhikari again defeated Banerjee in her fortress by over 15,000 votes, putting the last nail in the coffin of the TMC.

With the win, Mamata's once right hand finally dethroned his didi, but is this the end of their rivalry, or will Banerjee bounce back, a trait she is known for? Only time has this answer.


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