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West Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari emerges as BJP’s giant killer in Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari, a former Bengal minister who joined the BJP in December 2020, is highlighted as BJP’s giant killer in Bengal. The article traces his political moves and election dynamics through 2021, 2024, and 2025, culminating in a May 4, 2026 report on Hindu consolidation aiding BJP in Muslim-majority seats.
Why It Matters
The timeline shows how demographic voting blocs and party strategies are shaping Bengal's political landscape and could influence future elections.
Timeline
5 Events
May 4, 2026 report on Hindu consolidation aiding BJP in high-Muslim-population seats
May 4, 2026
As reported on May 4, 2026, by 6 pm on Monday the BJP led in many seats with high Muslim populations, aided by perceived Hindu consolidation, with seats including Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah, Kolkata and Birbhum.
January 2025 rally: Adhikari on Hindu vote consolidation
January 2025
At a rally in East Midnapore, Adhikari stated that 38% of votes in 2024 came from Hindus and claimed that if 10% more Hindus voted for the BJP, it could oust Mamata Banerjee in the next year.
BJP 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Hindu vote share and Muslim candidates
2024
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP secured about 38% of votes, described as Hindu votes. The party did not field any Muslim candidate in that election.
BJP performance on Muslim seats in 2021 Bengal elections
2021
Muslim voters play a decisive role in at least 120 of Bengal’s 294 assembly seats. In 2021, the BJP won 77 of these seats, and the party fielded nine Muslim candidates but none won.
Adhikari resigns from Bengal government and joins BJP
December 2020
Suvendu Adhikari, then East Midnapore district leader and a holder of several portfolios in the Bengal cabinet, resigned from the government and the assembly to join the BJP. Amit Shah welcomed him at a rally.