From a Communist CM’s Home to Breaking Away from SFI: Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s Son Suchetan Wins Hearts with Candid Interview

More than two years later, Suchetan, a transgender man, has reflected on his spartan lifestyle, similar to that of his father, his decision to stay away from politics over differences with the Left's model of functioning, and the recent attacks on CPI(M) bookstalls.

In an interview with News18 Bangla, Suchetan recalled his healthy relationship with his father, who never imposed his politics, ideology or decisions on him.

'He was truly democratic'

Suchetan joined the CPI(M)-affiliated Students' Federation of India (SFI) while studying at Presidency University, when Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was the Chief Minister of West Bengal, then ruled by the Left Front for 34 years.

Despite being the son of a Communist Chief Minister, Suchetan did not hesitate to quit the SFI in protest against its style of functioning.

He revealed that his father never questioned his decision, describing Bhattacharjee as a "freethinker" and a "democratic" person.

"My relationship with him was 'let's agree to disagree.' He never taught me to be a politician... He was truly democratic and never favoured imposing anything on me," Suchetan said.

Why Suchetan quit SFI

Suchetan said his individualistic outlook made it difficult for him to continue with the student organisation, which he alleged thrived on a "dictatorial" approach.

Recalling his time with the SFI, he said: "There was a strange thing among the SFI leaders there... they would dictate what books one should read and who one should talk to, and I could not follow that."

"I am an individualist... it was impossible for me to join a group and recite the same thing," he added.

Explaining why he did not pursue politics further, Suchetan said: "I am not political... I don't know how to speak in an organised manner... Political Science is not my cup of tea."

"I am very individualistic... there is no compulsion for me to be in the party... I don't have that ambition, nor was that mindset ever created in me," he added.

Although he initially pursued Political Science at the college level because of his interest in the subject during school, he eventually realised it was not his forte.

Dubbing himself as having mediocre merit, he chose not to pursue a Master's degree in Political Science. He cited poor academic grades and a lack of interest in the subject, despite being Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's son.

He later worked for a monthly salary of just Rs 12,000 in the office of Indranil Sen, the Trinamool Congress leader and singer, who is now in jail in connection with an alleged multi-crore Durga Puja pass scam. Interestingly, Suchetan also sharply attacked Sen, who is being slammed as a 'political leech' now, and expressed his deep disgust for the man, accusing him of rampant misconduct and corruption.

Still votes for CPI(M), condemns attack on bookstalls

Despite his criticism of the SFI's functioning, Suchetan revealed that he continues to vote for the CPI(M), which is hoping for a political revival following the BJP's rise to power in West Bengal and the subsequent weakening of the Trinamool Congress as the principal opposition force.

He also praised the CPI(M) for resisting alleged attempts by ruling party supporters to destroy its bookstalls during Durga Puja.

"It is an extremely condemnable incident. However, I think the CPI(M) has put up the ultimate fight," he told the broadcaster.

However Suchetan was tongue-in-cheek, using humour and irony to take a dig at today's Left leadership and its younger supporters, suggesting that social media activism alone would not help revive the Left's political fortunes.

Suchetan during RG Kar protests in 2024. Photo: IBNS File

Father’s Unfulfilled Industrial Dreams and Wishes for the BJP’s Push

In a striking departure from his father's political legacy, Suchetan Bhattacharya expressed confidence in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s industrial policy, saying the new government's efforts to bring industries to West Bengal would have made his father happy.

Speaking in the candid interview, Suchetan revisited the former chief minister’s unfinished industrialisation dream, particularly the collapse of the Tata Nano project in Singur.

He said the failure to bring industry to Singur remained a deep source of anguish for Buddhadeb until his final days, with the disappointment weighing heavily on him emotionally.

In his later years, according to Suchetan, his father had become increasingly withdrawn and rarely spoke about politics.

Suchetan's remarks carry particular poignancy given that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had staked considerable political capital on transforming Bengal into an industrial destination, only to see his ambitions derailed by the Singur controversy and the subsequent political upheaval.

Suchetan, who said his father did get enough support from his own party too on industrialisation, now believes that the industrial initiatives being pursued by the Suvendu Adhikari government could fulfil some of those long-cherished aspirations.

His endorsement is significant not merely because he is the son of a veteran CPI(M) leader, but because it reflects a personal conviction that Bengal's industrial future should transcend political divisions.

Suchetan's journey and activism

Born in 1982 to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Meera Bhattacharjee, Suchetan studied at Patha Bhavan before pursuing a bachelor's degree in Political Science at Presidency University in Kolkata.

After completing his education, he devoted time to advocating for environmental issues and raising awareness about them.

Suchetan publicly came out as a transgender man in 2023 and has spoken about his personal journey and the importance of greater awareness and acceptance of transgender identities.

He has also maintained that the focus should remain on the broader issues faced by the transgender community rather than his father's political identity.