RG Kar victim’s mother makes political debut

Hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its third list of candidates for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, the party’s nominee from Panihati struck a defiant tone, declaring her intent to “uproot” the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“My goal is to completely uproot the Trinamool Congress. I hope the ‘Lotus’ blooms across West Bengal this time,” she said, appealing to voters in Panihati to support her. “Stand by a bereaved mother who has lost her daughter. If I win, the people of Panihati will win.”

She also emphasised that women’s safety would be a top priority if elected, while pledging to raise her voice for those who feel silenced.

The Panihati seat is shaping up to be a closely watched contest. The TMC has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, son of former MLA Nirmal Ghosh, who had previously faced controversy in connection with the R.G. Kar incident. The Left Front has nominated Kaltan Dasgupta of the CPI(M), a young leader who was actively involved in the protest movement following the incident.

While the BJP candidate refrained from commenting directly on her opponents, she asserted, “They will fight in their own way; I will fight in mine.”

Addressing the wider movement that followed her daughter’s death, she said it transcended political boundaries. “That protest was not about caste, religion, or political colour. My daughter treated every patient equally—she never saw politics in people,” she said.

However, she stopped short of crediting any single political party, amid ongoing tensions and allegations of “politicisation” surrounding the protests.

The emotional weight of her loss was evident as she spoke about her daughter. “I could not protect my child. The pain she endured that night was unimaginable. She might have called out for us, but no one came,” she said.

She added that entering public life is a way to seek justice and serve others. “If I can work for the people, my daughter will be at peace. I will fight for justice—I have the strength to do so,” she said.

Turning to civic concerns, the BJP candidate criticised the lack of development in Panihati. “There are no proper drainage systems or roads. Even light rain leads to waterlogging. I will work to change this,” she said, promising that all her efforts would be focused on public welfare.

She is set to begin her campaign from Thursday, accompanied by party workers. Her husband also indicated that the campaign would highlight both local governance issues and the R.G. Kar case.

With emotion, controversy, and political stakes intertwined, the Panihati contest is expected to emerge as one of the most closely followed battles in the upcoming election.