In a dramatic political development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Rakesh Singh as its candidate for the Kolkata Port constituency just 24 hours after he secured bail from the Calcutta High Court.Singh, who had spent over five months in judicial custody in connection with multiple criminal cases, was granted interim bail shortly before the party’s announcement. The swift move by the BJP has drawn significant political attention, underlining the high-stakes nature of the upcoming polls.
Within hours of being declared a candidate, Singh began his campaign in the Kolkata Port area, engaging in door-to-door outreach and interacting with local voters. His nomination also completed the BJP’s list of candidates for all 294 seats in the state.The Kolkata Port seat is expected to witness a fierce contest, as Singh will face senior “Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim”, who has represented the constituency since 2011 and remains a key figure in the state government. The contest is being viewed as a crucial test for both parties in an urban stronghold traditionally dominated by the ruling party.Rakesh Singh, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP in 2019, had previously contested from the same seat but was unsuccessful. Despite his controversial political background and ongoing legal challenges, the BJP’s decision to field him signals a bold and aggressive electoral strategy.
Political analysts believe the move reflects the party’s attempt to consolidate its position in Kolkata and challenge the Trinamool Congress in key constituencies. However, Singh’s candidature has also sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who have questioned the timing and implications of his nomination following his release on bail.As campaigning gains momentum, all eyes will be on Kolkata Port, where the battle between BJP and Trinamool Congress is set to intensify in the coming days.The constituency is scheduled to go to polls in the final phase of the elections on April 29, with results expected in early May.
