The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has officially announced its four candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from West Bengal. Approved by party chairperson Mamata Banerjee, the list features former Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar, current MLA and former Union Minister Babul Supriyo, prominent Bengali actress Koel Mallick, and senior advocate Menka Guruswamy. According to the party's official statement, these candidates are expected to uphold the party's legacy and its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Indian citizens.
Profiles and Political Background of the Nominees
The selection of candidates reflects a strategic blend of administrative experience, legal expertise, and cultural influence. Babul Supriyo, a sitting MLA in the West Bengal Assembly, previously served as a Member of Parliament and a Union Minister of State under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration. After switching allegiance to the TMC, his nomination to the Rajya Sabha marks a significant step in his political journey within the party. Similarly, Koel Mallick is a well-known figure in the Bengali film industry, and her nomination is seen as an effort to bring representation from the arts and culture sector to the upper house of Parliament.
Significance of Former DGP Rajiv Kumar’s Nomination
The nomination of former DGP Rajiv Kumar has drawn considerable attention. Kumar, who recently retired from the post of Director General of Police, has been a key figure in the state's administrative landscape, while his tenure was marked by several high-profile events, including the Saradha chit fund investigation and the subsequent standoff with central agencies. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently supported the former officer during various administrative challenges. Recently, Rajiv Kumar filed a defamation case against Union Minister and former state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, which intensified speculations about his entry into active politics through the Rajya Sabha.
Legal Expertise: The Selection of Menka Guruswamy
Menka Guruswamy, a senior advocate known for her legal acumen, is the fourth candidate on the TMC list. Guruswamy has previously represented the government in cases involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Her inclusion is viewed by political observers as a move to bolster the party's legal and constitutional arguments in the upper house. The party leadership chose to introduce new faces, bypassing previous speculations regarding the re-nomination of leaders like Ritabrata Banerjee or Mausam Benazir Noor, while subrata Bakshi's name was also under discussion, but he wasn't included in the final list of four candidates.
Legislative Arithmetic and Election Schedule in West Bengal
The Rajya Sabha elections for five seats in West Bengal are scheduled to take place on 16 March. Based on the current strength of the state legislative assembly, the Trinamool Congress is positioned to win four seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to secure one seat. These elections are part of a larger exercise involving 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states. The TMC has expressed confidence that its nominees will effectively represent the interests of West Bengal and safeguard the constitutional rights of citizens at the national level.