West Bengal polls: BJP releases third list of 19 candidates, RG Kar victim's mother gets ticket from Panihati

New Delhi:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its third list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, naming 19 more nominees across key constituencies, according to party reports. The biggest highlight of the list is the nomination of Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, from the Panihati constituency. Reports say her entry into the election fray had been anticipated after she publicly expressed willingness to contest on a BJP ticket.

Her candidature has now been officially confirmed, with the party backing her from Panihati. According to reports, Ratna Debnath had earlier said she decided to enter politics to seek justice for her daughter and raise issues related to women’s safety in West Bengal.

She had pointed out that despite sustained protests and public outcry, justice in the case remains delayed, which pushed her to take a more direct role through electoral politics.

Constituencies covered in the third list

As per the party’s release, candidates have been named 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 first and second list of Bengal polls 

The BJP has already announced candidates in earlier phases. The second list included several prominent names such as Nisith Pramanik, while leaders like Suvendu Adhikari have been fielded in key battles.