Bengal Polls: BJP Releases 3rd List, RG Kar Victim's Mother To Contest from Panihati

Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its third list of 19 candidates ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. What struck out as the key highlight in this list is that the saffron party has fielded the mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, Ratna Debnath, from Panihati.

Why Ratna Debnath Wants To Contest Polls

Ratna Debnath's entry into the electoral fray was widely anticipated by political pundits ever since she expressed her willingness to contest on a BJP ticket, which would be a stepping stone for her to enter politics. Debnath had stated on multiple occasions that justice remains delayed in her daughter's case, and hence she wants to play a more active role in the case, through electoral politics.

What are the Constituencies Covered in this List

The BJP has announced candidates for several constituencies including Coochbehar Dakshin, Raiganj (SC), Islampur, Hemtabad (SC), English Bazar, Santipur, Howrah Madhya, Uttarpara, Singur, Chandannagar, Chunchura, Haripal, Tamluk, Medinipur, Purbasthali Dakshin, Katwa, Saithia (SC) and Nalhati.

BJP’s Earlier Lists In Bengal 

The BJP's earlier lists included political heavyweights like Nisith Pramanik who would be contesting from Mathabhanga, Shankar Adhikari from Chopra, Koustav Bagchi from Barrackpur, Arup Choudhury from Kamarhati, Rekha Patra from Hingalganj, Roopa Ganguly from Sonarpur Dakshin, Priyanka Tibrewal from Entally, and Tapas Roy from Maniktala.

In a bold political move, Suvendu Adhikari, one of BJP's key faces in the eastern state, has been pitted against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipore. Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections, from Nandigram, one of TMC's strongest bastions, making him a hero among the BJP cadres in the state.

How BJP Had Fared Earlier in Bengal Polls

The BJP had got a 38.5% vote share in West Bengal in the 2021 Assembly elections, up from 10.3% in 2016, marking a dramatic rise in vote percentage. In terms of seats, the BJP rose from only three seats in the 2016 Assembly seats to 77 in the 2021 polls.

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