Trinamool Congress and BJP Candidates Nominate for Rajya Sabha Elections in Bengal
Synopsis
On March 5, the nomination process for four Trinamool Congress candidates and one BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections from West Bengal concluded. With the ruling party in a strong position, unopposed elections seem likely unless nominations are rejected.
Key Takeaways
Four Trinamool Congress candidates and one BJP candidate filed nominations for Rajya Sabha.
The ruling party is expected to secure four seats , while the BJP is anticipated to win one seat .
Scrutiny of nominations will happen on March 6 .
Withdrawal of candidatures must be completed by March 9 .
The candidates are likely to be elected unopposed unless issues arise during scrutiny.
Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) The nomination process for four candidates from the Trinamool Congress and one candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Rajya Sabha elections from West Bengal was successfully completed at the state Assembly on Thursday.
This election cycle, a total of five Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal are up for grabs. Based on the current strength of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in the Assembly, the ruling party is in a strong position to secure four seats, while the BJP is anticipated to claim one seat.
It appears that the five candidates—four representing the Trinamool Congress and one from the BJP—who submitted their nominations on Thursday afternoon are likely to be elected unopposed, unless there's a rejection during the scrutiny phase or a candidate decides to withdraw their nomination.
The scrutiny of the nominations is scheduled for March 6, and the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures is March 9. Following these dates, the candidates will be officially declared elected unopposed.
The four Trinamool Congress candidates submitting their nominations include Rajeev Kumar, the former Director General of Police of West Bengal; Babul Supriyo, the current Information Technology Minister and a notable singer-actor-turned-politician; Menaka Guruswamy, a senior Supreme Court advocate and an active proponent of the nation’s queer rights movement; and the renowned Bengali actress Koel Mallick.
The single BJP candidate nominated is Rahul Sinha, the party's former national secretary and additionally a past president of the West Bengal unit.
Of the five Rajya Sabha seats available, three have become vacant due to the conclusion of the terms for sitting Trinamool Congress members Subrata Bakshi, Ritabrata Banerjee, and Saket Gokhale.
The fourth seat was vacated after former Trinamool MP Mausam Benazir Noor resigned from the Rajya Sabha and joined the Congress party. Additionally, the term for Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, a CPI-M Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate, is nearing its end. Given that the CPI(M) currently has no representatives in the West Bengal Assembly, the BJP is expected to secure this seat with ease.
Point of View
The filing of nominations for the Rajya Sabha highlights the Trinamool Congress's dominance while also showcasing the BJP's attempts to secure its foothold. This development represents a crucial moment in the state's political journey, reflecting the ongoing contest between the two parties.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates filed nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections from West Bengal?
A total of five candidates filed nominations—four from the Trinamool Congress and one from the BJP.
When will the scrutiny of nominations take place?
The scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for March 6.
What is the deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations?
The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 9.
Who are the Trinamool Congress candidates nominated?
The nominees from the Trinamool Congress include Rajeev Kumar, Babul Supriyo, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick.
Who is the BJP candidate nominated for the Rajya Sabha?
The BJP candidate nominated is Rahul Sinha.
