EXPLAINED | How Will Suvendu Adhikari's Spat With Mamata Benefit BJP In Bengal Polls?

Suvendu Adhikari's resignation comes as an additional trouble for Mamata Banerjee, who is already facing a resurgent BJP as she aims for third term at CM's office.

(File Photos/ Getty)

Kolkata: Amid speculations over his next political move, disgruntled Trinamool Congress heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, appearing to inch closer to the saffron party ahead of state Assembly elections scheduled in 2021. Over the last few months, Adhikari has been in loggerheads with Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly over the organizational decisions taken by her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and political strategist Prashant Kishor. Adhikari and Banerjee were even seen taking potshots indirectly at each other without taking names at recent public meetings. As per various media reports, Adhikari would join the BJP next week when Union Home Minister Amit Shah would visit the state. Irrigation and Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari had tendered his resignation as minister from the Mamata Banerjee-led cabinet last month. He had also left the chairperson's post of the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioner. Why Suvendu Adhikari's resignation can be a trouble for Mamata? Suvendu Adhikari's resignation comes as an additional trouble for Mamata Banerjee, who is already facing a resurgent BJP as she aims for third term at CM's office. As per political experts, Adhikari's absence could hurt TMC's fortune in as many as 60 seats of state assembly. Adhikari played key role in giving Trinamool Congress a strong foothold in Jangalmahal and adjoining area. Adhikari's followers in East Midnapore's Contai have painted a building in saffron colour and converted the office into the Nandigram legislator's assistance centre. According to a report by news agency IANS, the building, located at Reyapara in Nandigram, used to house the office of the Trinamool Congress-backed local traders' committee (Byabsayee Samiti) which was turned into Suvendu's assistance centre in the area overnight. How will BJP gain from Suvendu Adhikari? The Adhikari family wields considerable influence in at least 40-45 assembly segments in West Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, parts of Birbhum -- mainly in the Junglemahal region and areas in minority-dominated Murshidabad district. Apart from these, Adhikari is said to have strong hold in constituencies such as Malda, Murshidabad, Bishnupur, Purulia, Bankura, East & West Midnapore. Adhikar's desertion may positively impact BJP's prospects in these areas in the next assembly polls. TMC cracks the whip on dissidents Meanwhile, TMC this week expelled a leader of its East Midnapore district unit, Kanishka Panda, considered close to party heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari. Panda, the general secretary of the district unit, was expelled from TMC for alleged anti-party activities, a party leader said. In the last two weeks, Adhikari loyalists in East Midnapore, his home ground, were either removed from posts or ousted after Banerjee asked the district leadership not to tolerate anti-party activities.