Suvendu Adhikari sees rising income, fewer assets, and multiple cases as Bhabanipur and Nandigram turn into key battlegrounds
April 5, 2026: As West Bengal gears up for crucial elections, constituencies like Nandigram and Bhabanipur are once again drawing attention, with the latter seen as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s stronghold. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who filed his nomination early, has reported a steady rise in income—from about ₹8.13 lakh in FY 2020–21 to ₹17.38 lakh in FY 2024–25—according to his affidavit. Despite this, his movable assets have declined significantly to around ₹24.57 lakh from ₹59.31 lakh in 2021, while immovable assets stand at approximately ₹61.30 lakh, including agricultural land and residential properties.
A notable aspect of his declaration is the absence of liabilities, with no bank loans or government dues listed. Adhikari has also declared no ownership of vehicles or jewellery, maintaining only around ₹12,000 in cash while holding multiple bank accounts. His professional income sources include his MLA salary, pension, and business activities, and he holds a Master’s degree from Rabindra Bharati University.
However, his legal profile has seen a sharp shift, with around 25 criminal cases currently pending against him, though none have resulted in conviction. These include charges related to rioting, defamation, and provisions under the SC/ST and Disaster Management Acts, many filed after his switch from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP in 2020. The Calcutta High Court had earlier quashed 15 cases in October 2025. With polling dates set—April 23 for Nandigram and April 29 for Bhabanipur—the contest is shaping up as a high-stakes political battle.