Suvendu Adhikari: West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister Has a Modest Fortune

Suvendu Adhikari has scripted political history by becoming West Bengal’s first-ever BJP Chief Minister, taking oath on May 9 — coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. Once a trusted ally of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari became her sharpest rival, defeating her in her Bhabanipur stronghold as BJP swept to a commanding 207-seat victory against TMC’s 80.

A Net Worth That Surprises Many

Despite his towering political stature, Adhikari’s declared finances are remarkably modest. His election affidavit puts his total net worth at Rs 85.87 lakh — comprising Rs 24.57 lakh in movable assets and Rs 61.30 lakh in immovable assets. He carries just Rs 12,000 in cash, owns no car, no private vehicle, and no gold jewellery. His bank deposits are spread across 14 accounts in institutions including PNB, SBI, and Axis Bank. Investments include National Savings Certificates worth Rs 5.45 lakh and six LIC policies valued at Rs 7.71 lakh. His declared annual income for 2024–25 stands at Rs 17.38 lakh.

Property and Pending Cases

Most of his immovable assets — agricultural land and residential flats — are concentrated in Purba Medinipur, his family’s political heartland. Notably, 29 criminal cases remain pending against him, covering charges from criminal intimidation to corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, though no charges have been formally framed in any of them.

Educated at Rabindra Bharati University, Adhikari began his political journey in Congress in 1995 before joining TMC in 2000 — and now leads Bengal’s most consequential political shift in decades.