Career Timeline of Suvendu Adhikari: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 8, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Suvendu Adhikari made an impact.

Suvendu Adhikari is an Indian politician. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal and leads the state's Bharatiya Janata Party unit, positions he has held since May 2021. Before joining BJP, he was associated with All India Trinamool Congress and served as a minister in the West Bengal government from 2016 to 2020. Adhikari has been elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Nandigram (2016, 2021) and South Contai (2005). He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Tamluk in 2009 and 2014.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1995: Indian National Congress Member

From 1995 to 1998, Suvendu Adhikari was a member of the Indian National Congress.

1995: Elected as Councillor

In 1995, Suvendu Adhikari was first elected as a councillor from the Indian National Congress in the Kanthi Municipality.

1998: Trinamool Congress Member

From 1998 to 2020, Suvendu Adhikari was a member of the Trinamool Congress.

2006: Elected to West Bengal Legislative Assembly

In 2006, Suvendu Adhikari was elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Kanthi Dakshin constituency and became the chairman of Kanthi Municipality in the same year.

2007: Spearheaded Anti-Land-Acquisition Movement

In 2007, Suvendu Adhikari spearheaded the anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram, leading the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee against the Left Front government's plan to acquire land for a special economic zone. The state CID alleged that Adhikari had supplied arms to the Maoists to wage an armed movement against the state government.

2009: Lok Sabha Member

From 2009 to 2016, Suvendu Adhikari was a member of Lok Sabha from Tamluk.

2009: Elected to Lok Sabha from Tamluk

In 2009, Suvendu Adhikari was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Tamluk constituency, defeating Lakshman Seth.

May 2016: Sworn in as Minister of Transport

In May 2016, after being elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the Minister of Transport in the Second Mamata Banerjee ministry on 27 May 2016.

2016: Minister of Transport

In 2016, Suvendu Adhikari served as the Minister of Transport for the Government of West Bengal.

2018: Irrigation and Water resource

From 2018 to 2020, Suvendu Adhikari served as the Minister of Irrigation and Water Resource in the Government of West Bengal

2019: Sisir Adhikari Elected to Lok Sabha

In 2019, Sisir Adhikari, Suvendu Adhikari's father, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kanthi constituency.

November 2020: Resignation from HRBC

On 26 November 2020, Suvendu Adhikari stepped down from the post of chairman of Hooghly River Bridge Commission (HRBC). He also resigned as West Bengal Transport Minister on 27 November 2020.

December 2020: Resignation as MLA

On 16 December 2020, Suvendu Adhikari tendered his resignation to the speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly as MLA, which was eventually accepted on 21 December 2020. On 17 December 2020, he resigned from the primary membership of All India Trinamool Congress.

December 2020: Joined Bharatiya Janata Party

On 19 December 2020, Suvendu Adhikari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah.

2021: Chairperson of Jute Corporation of India

From 2020 to 2021, Suvendu Adhikari was the chairperson of Jute Corporation of India.

2021: Defeated Mamata Banerjee

In 2021, Suvendu Adhikari defeated the sitting chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in the Nandigram assembly seat in 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election by 1,956 votes.

October 2025: Urged Refugees to Apply for Citizenship

On 25 October 2025, Suvendu Adhikari urged Bangladeshi Hindu refugees in West Bengal to apply for citizenship at CAA awareness camps.

May 2026: Elected Leader of BJP Legislative Party

On 8 May 2026, Suvendu Adhikari was elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislative Party in West Bengal. He is scheduled to take oath as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026.

May 2026: Serving as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal

Since May 2026, Suvendu Adhikari has been serving as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal. He also served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the West Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party till 5th May 2026

May 2026: Scheduled Oath-Taking Ceremony

Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to take oath on 9 May 2026 at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.

2026: Contested and Won in Both Nandigram and Bhabanipur

In 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, Suvendu Adhikari simultaneously contested in both Nandigram as well as Bhabanipur, the seat held by outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee and won both by a spectacular margin.