Ex-Aide vs. Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee Faces Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set for a high-stakes electoral battle in the upcoming Assembly polls, taking on her former lieutenant-turned-rival, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, in south Kolkata’s Bhabanipur constituency. The contest has emerged as one of the most closely watched clashes of the election season.

Banerjee, along with her nephew and Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, announced the party’s 291 candidates for the two-phase polls scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The party has opted not to contest three seats in Darjeeling, following an understanding with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha. Notably, Banerjee will not contest from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur, the constituency where she lost to Adhikari in 2021. Instead, TMC has fielded Pabitra Kar, a former close aide of Adhikari who recently joined Banerjee’s party.

The BJP, meanwhile, released its first list of 144 candidates, with Adhikari contesting from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. While the party has not officially named a Chief Ministerial candidate, fielding Adhikari in two seats signals its confidence in his leadership and underscores his central role in the campaign. Nandigram remains Adhikari’s home turf, but Bhabanipur is considered Banerjee’s stronghold, where she has historically dominated South Kolkata elections, including six consecutive wins in the Lok Sabha before becoming Chief Minister.

Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Writes To Poll Chief Over “Arbitrary” Reshuffle

Before the candidate announcements, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, questioning the sudden transfers of top state administrative and police officials after the model code of conduct came into effect. She accused the Commission of favouring the BJP in the lead-up to the polls, alleging that officers were chosen to assist the party in moving cash and arms. “Why are you acting from behind the clouds?” she said, daring the Election Commission to participate openly in the political process.

Banerjee also set an ambitious target for her party, vowing to win 226 seats—11 more than TMC’s 2021 tally of 215. She reassured party leaders and workers who were not included in the candidate list that they would continue to play key roles within the party structure. Declaring the polls a fight for Bengal’s identity, she urged supporters to stand firm against outside interference, saying, “Bengal and its Maa, Mati, Manush will win. Delhi’s laddoo won’t.”

The upcoming elections are shaping up to be a defining moment for West Bengal politics, pitting Banerjee against her former protégé in a test of political strategy, party loyalty, and regional influence. The Bhabanipur showdown, in particular, will be closely watched as a symbolic and practical barometer of the state’s political future.

Also Read: Nandigram Winner Suvendu Adhikari To Contest Bhabanipur Against Mamata Banerjee