Political observers are drawing parallels between the Chandrababu Naidu–KCR fallout in undivided Andhra Pradesh and the rise of Suvendu Adhikari against Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal politics.
Politics often turns on unexpected moments that later reshape entire political landscapes. A small disagreement or a denied opportunity can sometimes create leaders who go on to challenge the very systems they once supported. Many political analysts are now comparing the recent developments in West Bengal to the famous political split between Chandrababu Naidu and K. Chandrashekar Rao in the late 1990s.
Back in 1999, KCR was serving as Deputy Speaker in Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party government. Reports at the time suggested he was unhappy after allegedly being denied a cabinet berth. KCR eventually resigned from the TDP and his MLA position before launching the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). What followed became one of the biggest political movements in South India, leading to the creation of Telangana state. Over the years, KCR also played a major role in weakening the Telugu Desam Party’s presence in Telangana.
A similar political transformation is now being discussed in West Bengal after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of the state on May 9, 2026. Suvendu was once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest and most trusted leaders, especially during the Nandigram agitation and the Trinamool Congress’ rise to power. However, he parted ways with Mamata Banerjee in 2020 amid reported internal differences linked to the party leadership. He later joined the BJP and emerged as one of the strongest faces against the TMC in West Bengal.
Suvendu Adhikari played a crucial role in the BJP’s victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. He had earlier defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram during the 2021 elections and later defeated her again in Bhabanipur in the latest electoral battle. With BJP now forming the government in West Bengal, many believe Mamata Banerjee and the TMC are facing their biggest political challenge yet. Analysts say the situation resembles the Chandrababu Naidu–KCR political fallout, where a former close associate eventually rose to challenge and weaken the original leadership. Whether Mamata Banerjee can stage a political comeback in the coming years remains to be seen.
