Kolkata, 03 April (H.S.): Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Bhabanipur constituency for the 2026 Assembly elections, filed his nomination on Thursday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

According to the affidavit submitted along with his nomination papers, Adhikari’s total assets have decreased by approximately Rs 19.65 lakh compared to 2021. While his immovable assets have increased, his movable assets have witnessed a significant decline. The number of cases registered against him has also increased in the latest affidavit.

As per the affidavit, Adhikari currently has Rs 12,000 in cash. His movable assets are valued at Rs 24,57,600, while his immovable assets stand at Rs 61,30,000, taking his total assets to Rs 85,87,600.

In comparison, his 2021 affidavit showed Rs 5,000 in cash, movable assets worth Rs 59,31,647 and immovable assets valued at Rs 46,21,102. This indicates a decline of Rs 34,74,047 in movable assets over the past five years, while his immovable assets increased by Rs 15,08,898.

Regarding legal cases, the 2021 affidavit had shown no cases against him. However, the 2026 affidavit mentions 29 criminal cases registered in different police stations across the state, including Garbeta, Kharagpur, Chanchal, Mohanpur, Khardah, Lalgarh, Sankrail, Jamboni, Jhargram, and Kolkata police stations such as Bowbazar, Beliaghata and Hare Street.

The affidavit also states that charges are yet to be framed in any of these cases.

In terms of educational qualifications, Adhikari holds a postgraduate degree from Rabindra Bharati University, which he obtained in 2011.

Notably, in the 2021 Assembly elections, he contested from the Nandigram constituency and defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. For the 2026 elections, the BJP has fielded him from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, where Mamata Banerjee is also in the fray, setting the stage for another direct political contest between the two leaders.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh