New Delhi: TMC on Friday announced the names of singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo, former West Bengal director general of police Rajeev Kumar, Supreme Court advocate Menaka Guruswamy and actor Koel Mallick as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
In a statement posted on X, the party said, “We are pleased to announce the candidature of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar (Former DGP, West Bengal), Menaka Guruswamy and Koel Mallick for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them. May they continue to uphold Trinamool’s enduring legacy of resilience and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian.”
Announcement puts an end to days of speculation
The announcement puts an end to days of speculation over the party’s nominees for the Upper House from West Bengal.
Rajeev Kumar’s nomination is being seen as one of the biggest surprises in the list. A former director general of police and ex-Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Kumar is regarded as a trusted officer of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. She had earlier staged a sit-in protest in his support during a standoff involving central agencies.
Babul Supriyo, who joined the TMC in 2021 after quitting the BJP, currently serves as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet. His nomination clarifies that he will not be contesting the upcoming assembly elections and will instead enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha.
Who are the candidates
The inclusion of Koel Mallick, a famous actor and producer from the influential Mallick family of the Bengali film industry, has also drawn attention in political circles. Menaka Guruswamy, a Supreme Court advocate who has previously served as a government lawyer in an Enforcement Directorate case, has likewise been described by observers as a significant choice.
The Election Commission has announced that polling for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across multiple states, including West Bengal, will be held on March 16.