Suvendu Adhikari calls Mamata Banerjee’s Bhabanipur loss ‘end of her political career’

Senior Suvendu Adhikari on Monday termed his emphatic victory in Bhabanipur a “turning point” in West Bengal politics, declaring that it marked the “retirement” of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after defeating her on her home turf.

Speaking after collecting his victory certificate, Adhikari described the contest as both symbolic and strategic, arguing that the outcome signalled a decisive shift in the state’s political landscape. He linked his win to a broader mandate in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is poised to form its first government in the state, ending the long dominance of the All India Trinamool Congress.

Claims of consolidated support

Adhikari attributed his victory to a consolidation of votes across communities, claiming support extended beyond the BJP’s traditional base. He alleged that while minority voters largely backed the TMC, several other groups rallied behind him, creating a decisive electoral alignment.

He also claimed that a section of Left-leaning voters, including supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), shifted towards him, helping unify the anti-TMC vote in the constituency.

Calling the result ideologically significant, Adhikari said the mandate reflected wider public endorsement of his party’s political positioning.

A dramatic contest

The Bhabanipur seat witnessed a closely fought and high-stakes battle. Banerjee led comfortably in the early rounds of counting, but Adhikari steadily closed the gap before overtaking her in the later stages.

He eventually won by a margin of over 15,000 votes, sealing a dramatic turnaround in one of the most closely watched contests of the election.

The intensity of the contest was evident as both leaders were present at the counting centre. During the process, Banerjee alleged irregularities and termed the outcome “immoral,” though there was no immediate response from the Election Commission.

Part of a larger shift

Adhikari positioned his win as part of a wider electoral surge for the BJP across West Bengal. Party leaders hailed the result as a decisive mandate for change, while Narendra Modi urged focus on governance going forward.

Adhikari also noted that senior leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, remained in touch during counting, underscoring the importance of the Bhabanipur battle.

Banerjee’s defeat in her own constituency is being widely seen as a watershed moment in West Bengal politics, with potential long-term implications for the state’s power dynamics.