Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday declared that outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government was "even worse" than its predecessor, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), as he visited Nandigram to thank voters following his victories in both the Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituencies.

Adhikari's Remarks on TMC Rule

Speaking to reporters in Nandigram, Adhikari said: "It was necessary to remove the CPM (in 2011), but we never thought that an even worse dynasty government of Mamata Banerjee would come in place of it. That's why this time a real change has come, a nationalist double-engine government has taken power and will drive development, progress, and growth."

Adhikari, who notably defeated Banerjee herself in the Bhabanipur constituency, had come to express gratitude to local voters. "I have to fulfill the expectations of the people with development and progress. Last time, people of Nandigram had helped me to beat the Chief Minister," he told reporters.

BJP's Landslide Win in West Bengal

The BJP secured a commanding 207 seats in the West Bengal Assembly polls, reducing the TMC to just 80 seats — a dramatic reversal of political fortunes in a state that the party had governed for over a decade. Adhikari told IANS that the people of Bengal had elected him as an MP twice and as an MLA three times, underscoring his deep roots in the region.

This comes amid a broader national momentum for the BJP and marks one of the most significant state-level electoral shifts in recent memory. The TMC's reduction to 80 seats is its worst performance since coming to power in 2011, when it dislodged the CPM after 34 years of Left Front rule.

Allegations Against TMC and Law and Order Pledge

Adhikari alleged serious electoral intimidation by the outgoing government, claiming that more than 500 FIRs were lodged against BJP party workers and that 400 BJP workers were put in jail. "Such atrocities have been committed against them. I have told them to maintain peace. Whatever action needs to be taken, the new BJP government will take within the legal framework," he said.

He warned that those engaged in criminal activity would be prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): "Those who are dacoits and goons will be punished under sections of the BNS, according to the law. No body will pick law in their hands."

Priorities for the New Government

Adhikari outlined the incoming BJP government's priorities, stating that it would work to fulfill each of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantees and the election manifesto released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He specifically cited border security with Bangladesh and women's safety as key focus areas, saying: "We will secure the border and will ensure safety for women. Women will be able to step out of their houses whenever they want."

He also appealed to party workers to pause victory processions for the next two days, with a formal thanksgiving ceremony to be organised with police permission after the BJP government is officially formed. Adhikari expressed confidence that the people of Bengal would experience tangible change within a month of the new government's collective efforts.