Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The BJP, who is looking to dethrone Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress after a 15-year-rule, on Wednesday declared the mother of the 2024 RG Kar rape and murder case victim as a party candidate for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The party has fielded Ratna Debnath from the Panihati Assembly constituency in the North 24 Parganas district, placing a high-profile and emotionally charged case at the centre of its electoral strategy.
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Debnath’s candidature was announced as part of the BJP’s third list of 19 nominees for the 2026 Assembly polls.
She will contest from Panihati, a politically significant seat in North 24 Parganas district.
Confirming her decision, Debnath said she had been in touch with the party for some time and recently gave her consent to enter electoral politics.
Her move marks a transition from a grieving mother seeking justice to a political contender aiming to take her fight to a larger platform.
WHY HER POLL DEBUT HOLDS KEY
Ratna Debnath’s entry into politics is closely tied to the 2024 incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where her 31-year-old daughter, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was found raped and murdered inside the hospital premises.
The crime triggered widespread outrage across West Bengal and beyond, sparking protests, demands for accountability, and intense political confrontation.
The case became a flashpoint between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The BJP accused the state government of shielding those responsible and obstructing the investigation, allegations strongly denied by the Trinamool, which maintained that due process was being followed.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and the probe was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY, SENTENCED
In a key development, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer arrested in connection with the crime, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a CBI court in January 2025.
However, the victim’s family, including Debnath, has continued to demand what they describe as “complete justice,” rejecting compensation offered by the state government and raising questions about the broader circumstances of the case.
Debnath has stated that her decision to contest elections is driven by her pursuit of justice and her desire to challenge what she sees as systemic failures.
Her candidature is likely to intensify political debate around law and order, women’s safety, and institutional accountability in the state.
BJP’S THIRD CANDIDATE LIST FOR BENGAL
The BJP’s latest list also includes candidates such as Dipanjan Chakrabarty, a former NSG officer, who has been fielded from Uttarpara, along with several others across constituencies like Coochbehar Dakshin, Islampur, and Howrah Madhya.
The party appears to be combining organisational figures with individuals who carry strong public narratives, particularly those linked to high-impact issues.
The BJP’s second list of 111 candidates, released last week, featured a mix of prominent leaders and fresh faces. IPS officer Rajesh Kumar will contest from Jagatdal, Koustav Bagchi from Barrackpore, and Rupa Ganguly from Sonarpur Dakshin.
Tapas Roy (Maniktala), Papiya Adhikari (Tollygunj), and Priyanka Tibrewal (Entally) are also in the fray, alongside Dibendu Adhikari, Nisith Pramanik, and Arjun Singh.
As the election approaches, the Panihati contest is expected to draw significant attention, with Debnath’s campaign symbolising both personal loss and political assertion. The BJP’s move signals its intent to foreground the RG Kar case in its campaign, setting the stage for a charged electoral battle in West Bengal.
West Bengal’s 294 assembly constituencies will vote in two phases: April 23 and 29. The results will be declared on May 4.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
