Rakesh Singh enters fray against Firhad Hakim as Bharatiya Janata Party releases sixth candidate list
April 8, 2026: With West Bengal gearing up for Assembly elections, political activity has intensified across the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party released its sixth list of candidates, naming Rakesh Singh for the Kolkata Port constituency. Singh was released from Presidency Jail on Tuesday after securing interim bail from the Calcutta High Court, which noted that the bail could be revoked if he does not contest the election.
The state government had opposed his bail, citing his alleged criminal record and describing him as a “history-sheeter.” Singh, however, told the court that he had obtained bail or anticipatory bail in all pending cases. In Kolkata Port, he will face a tough challenge from Firhad Hakim of the Trinamool Congress, who has won the seat three times and is seeking a fourth consecutive victory.
The BJP has now announced candidates for 293 out of 294 seats, releasing names in multiple phases. According to the Election Commission, polling in the state will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. As campaigning intensifies, the Kolkata Port seat is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds in the election.