Bengal polls: BJP releases 3rd candidate list, fields RG Kar victim's mother from Panihati

The decision confirms weeks of speculation surrounding her possible entry into electoral politics.

Her daughter, a doctor and student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was brutally raped and murdered in August 2024, a case that triggered widespread outrage across the state.

Contestant from key Panihati seat

Ratna Debnath will contest from Panihati in North 24 Parganas district, a constituency considered a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress. 

The seat is expected to witness a closely watched contest amid heightened political tensions.

Her selection was part of the BJP’s latest list of 19 candidates for the two-phase elections scheduled on April 23 and April 29. 

With this announcement, the party has declared candidates for 274 out of 294 seats in the state Assembly.

Decision approved by central leadership

The announcement coincided with a visit to Kolkata by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who attended a party event on the same day.

Sources within the state unit indicated that Ratna Debnath had already expressed willingness to contest on a BJP ticket and had taken the party’s primary membership. 

The final approval came from the party’s central leadership in New Delhi.

Campaign rooted in justice demand

Ratna Debnath had earlier stated that her decision to enter politics stemmed from a prolonged struggle for justice following her daughter’s death. 

She has maintained that despite sustained protests and public attention, justice has remained elusive.

Her candidature is expected to bring focus to issues of women’s safety and accountability in the state, particularly in the backdrop of the RG Kar case.

BJP expands candidate list across Bengal

The BJP’s third list includes candidates across multiple constituencies such as Cooch Behar Dakshin, Raiganj, Islampur, Shantipur, Howrah Central, Uttarpara, Chandannagore and Tamluk.

Among notable names, former National Security Guard (NSG) officer Dipanjan Chakraborty has been fielded from Uttarpara. 

Meanwhile, Arup Kumar Das has been nominated from Singur in Hooghly district, a constituency with historical political significance.

Electoral timeline and stakes

West Bengal, which has a 294-member legislative assembly, requires a majority mark of 148 seats to form the government. 

The elections will be conducted in two phases, on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.