The Nomination Surprise
In a move that has captured significant attention, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put forth Rakesh Singh as its contender for the Kolkata Port Assembly
constituency in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. This nomination comes just a day after Singh was released from Presidency Jail, where he had been held for over five months under strict bail conditions. His candidacy sets up a high-stakes electoral battle, pitting him against the formidable Firhad Hakim, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the current Mayor of Kolkata. The selection of Singh, who has a documented past of legal challenges, injects a dramatic narrative into the election campaign for this pivotal Kolkata seat.
A Troubled Past
Rakesh Singh's recent release from judicial custody marks a significant chapter in his public life. He was taken into custody in September 2025, reportedly found at a private residence in Kolkata's Tangra area after being a fugitive for five days. His arrest followed an incident on August 29, 2025, where a group of BJP supporters, allegedly led by Singh himself, engaged in disruptive activities at Bidhan Bhawan. This protest involved defacing posters of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and setting tires ablaze outside the office, a demonstration purportedly against remarks made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh had even broadcast the event live on social media, further complicating his legal standing. With numerous criminal cases already on his record, his detention involved charges under the Arms Act, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, encompassing offenses like causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and mischief.
Political Switch
Prior to his current role in the BJP, Rakesh Singh was a recognized figure within the South Kolkata Congress party. His transition to the BJP occurred in March 2019, an event marked by his formal induction in New Delhi in the presence of prominent party leaders such as Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayvargiya. This move signaled a significant shift in his political allegiance. Before aligning with the BJP, Singh had represented the Congress in the 2016 Assembly elections, contesting from the very Kolkata Port seat he now seeks to win for the BJP. However, that electoral bid resulted in a defeat against the TMC's candidate, highlighting the challenges he faced in previous contests.
Further Allegations
Rakesh Singh's legal entanglements extend beyond the Bidhan Bhawan incident. In February 2021, he was apprehended by the Kolkata police in connection with a drug seizure case. This arrest followed accusations by fellow BJP leader Pamela Goswami, who alleged that Singh had orchestrated her implication in the case. Furthermore, Singh was identified as one of the accused in the controversy surrounding the vandalism of the bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar during a roadshow conducted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in May 2019. These past incidents contribute to the complex public image and political profile of the BJP's Kolkata Port candidate.
Election Context
With the announcement of Rakesh Singh's candidacy for the Kolkata Port seat, the BJP has now finalized its nominees for all 294 constituencies across West Bengal. The party's selection process was conducted in multiple phases, beginning with a large list of 144 candidates, followed by subsequent releases of 112, 19, 13, five, and finally, one more candidate. The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in two distinct phases: the first on April 23 and the second on April 29. The results that will determine the composition of the new state assembly are slated for declaration on May 4.
