BJP Unveils Third Candidate List for Bengal Elections; Ratna Debnath, Mother of R.G. Kar Victim, Nominated from Panihati
Synopsis
In a significant political move, the BJP has revealed its third candidate list for the West Bengal Assembly elections, featuring Ratna Debnath, mother of a tragic crime victim, as a key contender from Panihati. This nomination has sparked discussions in the political arena.
Key Takeaways
BJP releases third candidate list for West Bengal Assembly elections .
Ratna Debnath, mother of R.G.
Kar victim, nominated from Panihati .
Controversy surrounds the nomination amid ongoing investigations.
BJP has declared candidates for 174 out of 294 constituencies.
The CBI is appealing for the death penalty in the R.G.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its third list of 19 candidates ahead of the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal, set for next month. A notable inclusion is Ratna Debnath, who will contest from the Panihati Assembly constituency in the North 24 Parganas district.
Ratna Debnath is the mother of the junior doctor from the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, who tragically lost her life due to a heinous crime within the hospital in August 2024.
Debnath is also registered as a voter in the same constituency.
The Trinamool Congress has nominated Tirthankar Ghosh, the son of the current MLA and Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress legislative party, Nirmal Ghosh. Ghosh’s name has been associated with controversy regarding the swift cremation of the victim’s remains.
In contrast, the Communist Party of India-Marxist has put forward its youth leader, Kalatan Dasgupta, a key figure in the protests against the incident.
With this latest announcement, the BJP has now revealed candidates for 174 out of the total 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal.
It is worth noting that on March 23, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, disclosed to the media that the parents of the R.G. Kar victim had joined the BJP as primary members.
At that time, Adhikari mentioned that the decision regarding their candidacy from Panihati would rest with the party’s central leadership. On Wednesday, the party confirmed the selection of the victim’s mother as its candidate for the constituency.
The victim’s body was discovered on the premises of the R.G. Kar hospital on August 9, 2024. Initially, the Kolkata Police detained Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, as the sole suspect in the case.
Later, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation following a directive from the Calcutta High Court, reaffirming Roy as the lone accused in the rape and murder case.
A trial court in Kolkata ultimately convicted Roy, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The CBI has since appealed the decision in the Calcutta High Court, seeking the death penalty.
Point of View
Which raises questions about the political landscape in West Bengal. The inclusion of a victim's family member in the electoral fray underscores the intertwining of personal tragedy and political maneuvering in contemporary politics.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ratna Debnath?
Ratna Debnath is the mother of a junior doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. She has been nominated by the BJP to contest in the Panihati Assembly constituency.
What political party has nominated Ratna Debnath?
Ratna Debnath has been nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.
What is the significance of her nomination?
Her nomination symbolizes a poignant intersection of personal loss and political ambition, potentially influencing public sentiment and voter turnout in the elections.
How many candidates has the BJP announced for the elections so far?
As of now, the BJP has announced candidates for 174 out of the total 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal.
What happened to the accused in the R.G. Kar case?
Sanjay Roy, the accused in the R.G. Kar case, was initially arrested by the Kolkata Police and later convicted by a trial court, receiving a life sentence. The CBI has appealed for the death penalty.
