West Bengal elections 2026: Suvendu Adhikari takes early lead against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur

Suvendu Adhikari, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, is taking an early lead against Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency of West Bengal Assembly elections. Adhikari, a former close aide of Banerjee, is now her principal challenger from the BJP. Bhabanipur has traditionally been considered Banerjee's political stronghold, but recent elections have shown tightening margins in parts of South Kolkata. Adhikari's campaign has focused on governance concerns and anti-incumbency sentiments.