Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Tapasi Mondal has crossed over to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), dealing a significant setback to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, particularly in the latter’s stronghold. The defection marks a pivotal shift in West Bengal’s political landscape and has garnered significant attention as the BJP’s influence in the region continues to face challenges.
The Defection and Its Political Implications
Tapasi Mondal, who had been a prominent member of the BJP in West Bengal, made the bold decision to join Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress on March 10, 2025. Mondal, who had represented the Ranaghat constituency in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, is a well-known figure within the state’s political circles, particularly in the context of the BJP’s recent rise in Bengal. Her defection to the TMC has sent shockwaves through the BJP, especially given the context of her previous support for the party’s agenda in the region.
Mondal’s move comes at a time when BJP’s fortunes in Bengal have been fluctuating, and it has sparked a renewed wave of political activity in the state. TMC leaders have lauded her decision, emphasizing that her entry into the party is a step toward strengthening the regional party’s hold over Bengal’s politics. However, for BJP’s leadership, this defection represents more than just the loss of a member—it’s a sign of vulnerability in the state’s most crucial battleground.
Setback for Suvendu Adhikari
The defection of Tapasi Mondal is a significant blow to Suvendu Adhikari, a senior BJP leader who has been a key figure in the party’s efforts to challenge Mamata Banerjee’s TMC dominance in Bengal. Adhikari, a former TMC leader himself, defected to the BJP in 2019 and played a vital role in leading the party’s campaign in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. The BJP had made substantial inroads into Bengal under his leadership, especially in areas that had traditionally been TMC strongholds.
However, Mondal’s shift to TMC is particularly striking because she hails from the same region where Adhikari’s influence is considered to be strongest. Ranaghat, a constituency that Mondal represented, lies in the heart of Bengal’s political battlegrounds, and the move is seen as a signal of TMC’s ability to erode BJP’s base in even its most loyal areas.
Adhikari, who has maintained a dominant presence in the region, now faces increasing pressure as his party’s ranks continue to weaken, especially after this defection. Political analysts suggest that this could be the beginning of a series of defections that may chip away at BJP’s position in Bengal, especially with the growing disillusionment among local leaders who are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the party’s national ambitions versus the regional reality.
A Shift in Political Alliances
The political dynamics in Bengal have been volatile in recent years, with shifting alliances and defections becoming a common occurrence. The TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, has historically been a formidable force in the state, but the rise of BJP over the past decade has created a challenging political environment. In the 2021 Assembly elections, BJP had made a dramatic rise, securing significant portions of seats and even pushing the TMC to confront new political realities.
However, despite this success, the BJP’s hold over Bengal has faced continuous challenges. Allegations of leadership issues, internal factionalism, and an inability to address the state’s unique political needs have led to defections like Mondal’s. Many believe that the BJP’s top-down approach, which prioritizes central government politics over regional concerns, has created dissatisfaction among grassroots leaders like Mondal, who feel more aligned with the TMC’s regional focus.
In contrast, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, often criticized for its dynastic politics, has nevertheless managed to retain a firm grip on the state through its strong organizational base and emphasis on local issues. Mondal’s move to TMC underscores the party’s continued relevance in Bengal, especially in a period when the BJP is attempting to consolidate its position across India’s states.
Impact on BJP’s Strategy in Bengal
Tapasi Mondal’s departure from the BJP comes at a time when the party is attempting to recalibrate its strategy in West Bengal. BJP leaders are focusing on reestablishing connections with local communities and addressing issues such as job creation, healthcare, and infrastructure, which have become central to voter concerns. However, defections like Mondal’s complicate these efforts, as they weaken the party’s grassroots support and erode the confidence of local leaders and constituents.
With upcoming elections in the state, the BJP will need to reassess its approach to maintaining its presence in Bengal, especially in light of the growing influence of Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. While the BJP has a national appeal and has made substantial inroads into the state’s politics, it must now contend with a renewed TMC under Mamata’s leadership, which has proven to be highly resilient.
The Road Ahead
As the political drama unfolds in West Bengal, the defection of Tapasi Mondal to the TMC has opened up new avenues for speculation about the future of both the BJP and TMC in the state. While the BJP continues to hold onto key urban constituencies, the TMC’s ability to attract significant leaders like Mondal shows that the regional party remains a dominant force in West Bengal politics.
For Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP, the task ahead will be to counter these defections and reassert their dominance in Bengal. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC will be looking to capitalize on this shift in allegiance to further consolidate its hold over the state’s political scene, with an eye on the upcoming elections. The battle for Bengal’s political future is far from over, and it seems that the landscape is only getting more competitive.