From trusted aide to biggest rival: Suvendu Adhikari set to become West Bengal chief minister

But for Adhikari, personally, the rise did not begin with the BJP.Born in Purba Medinipur district in 1970 into one of Bengal's most influential political families, he emerged through the Congress party before joining the TMC during its years as an anti-Left force.His father Sisir Adhikari was a veteran MP and the family built a political network across parts of coastal West Bengal, with several relatives holding elected office over the years.It was in Nandigram town, though, that he first became a major political figure.The violent protests there in 2007 against a proposed land acquisition project transformed politics in West Bengal. The agitation weakened the then-ruling Left Front government and helped propel Banerjee and the TMC to power in 2011.Adhikari, who helped organise much of the movement on the ground, emerged from that battle with a reputation as one of the state's most effective political organisers.For years, he was seen as one of Banerjee's closest lieutenants.