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Tollywood actress, former top cop, legal icon and party old-timer: TMC, BJP picks file nominations for Rajya Sabha polls
With five seats vacant and the TMC holding a commanding majority in the West Bengal Assembly, the ruling party is poised to secure four seats, while the BJP is expected to win the fifth.
Menaka Guruswamy files her nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday. (Express photo)
The stage is set for Rajya Sabha elections in West Bengal with five candidates—four from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and one from the BJP—filing their nominations at the Assembly on Thursday.
With five seats vacant and the TMC holding a commanding majority in the 294-member Assembly, the ruling party is poised to secure four seats, while the BJP is expected to win the fifth.
The TMC has fielded a team that combines legal expertise, administrative experience, and stardom. Its candidates are Menaka Guruswamy, a senior Supreme Court advocate known for her legal battles for LGBTQ+ rights; Rajeev Kumar, a former West Bengal DGP and former Kolkata police commissioner; Koel Mallick, a veteran superstar of Bengali cinema with a career spanning over two decades; and Babul Supriyo, a state minister and former Union minister.
Upon filing her papers, Menaka Guruswamy expressed her gratitude. “I feel deeply moved and honoured,” she said. Asked about her legislative priorities, she said, “It’s too early. I have only just come to file my nomination today.”
Former top cop Rajeev Kumar, who has previously been at the centre of a high-profile jurisdictional tug-of-war between state and central agencies, quoted Mother Teresa. “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.”
Actress Koel Mallick made her first visit to the Assembly, accompanied by her husband Nispal Singh Rane. “The journey has just begun. It is an entirely new experience, and it feels wonderful,” she said. “My career has spanned almost 22 years, and I have always received the people’s blessings. I hope to continue receiving their love in the days ahead.”
Babul Supriyo was seen in a celebratory mood, distributing and enjoying sweets during the nomination filing process.
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From the BJP, Rahul Sinha arrived at the Assembly to file his nomination alongside party colleague Samik Bhattacharya. Sinha signalled a traditional tone for his candidacy, wearing a ceremonial uttariya (scarf) from Banke Bihari.
The TMC released a statement via X praising their diverse lineup. “Each of them brings a wealth of experience, conviction, and commitment to public service. Their journeys reflect a shared dedication to strengthening democratic values and amplifying the voices of the people… May they continue to serve with integrity, courage, and purpose,” it read.
Of the five outgoing seats, four were previously held by the TMC, making this election a critical moment for the party to maintain its influence in the Upper House of Parliament.
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