RG Kar Victim’s Mother To Contest Panihati Assembly Seat On BJP Ticket

In a major political shift ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the mother of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in 2024 officially announced her intention to contest the polls. On Thursday, March 19, 2026, she confirmed she has approached the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to field her from the Panihati constituency in North 24 Parganas.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the state’s political and activist circles, as she transitions from a symbol of a grieving family to a direct challenger of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

1. Why Panihati?

The family resides in the Panihati area, making it their home turf. The seat is currently a high-profile battleground:

• The Incumbent: The TMC has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, son of five-time MLA Nirmal Ghosh, who won the seat in 2021 by over 25,000 votes.
• The Left Challenge: The CPI(M) has nominated Kalatan Dasgupta, a prominent face of the youth-led RG Kar protest movement.
• BJP Strategy: While the BJP released its second list of 112 candidates on Thursday, it notably left the Panihati seat vacant, fueling speculation that her nomination will be announced in a separate “special” list.

2. Scathing Allegations Against the Left and TMC

In a series of emotional statements, the victim’s mother explained her pivot to the BJP, accusing other opposition parties of using her tragedy for political gain.

• On CPI(M): She alleged that the Left is “tacitly helping TMC” and only offered “lip service” during the protests. “What did the Left do other than just protest? They have done things so that we don’t get justice,” she claimed.
• On TMC: Her primary goal, she stated, is to overthrow the current government. “The downfall of the Trinamool regime would bring justice to my daughter.”
• The BJP Offer: She revealed that while multiple parties made offers, she felt the BJP was the only platform capable of challenging the state’s current power structure.

3. Backlash from “Reclaim the Night” Activists

The move has divided the very movement that supported the family for nearly two years.

• Protester Disappointment: Rimjhim Sinha, who initiated the ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement, called the move “unfortunate,” citing the BJP’s own record with cases like Bilkis Bano and Kathua.
• Activist Perspective: Gender activist Satabdi Das remarked that while the mother’s rage is justifiable, aligning with a party often criticized for its patriarchal stance was a “completely wrong choice.”

West Bengal Election 2026: Panihati Key Details

Important Dates:

• Phase 2 Voting (Panihati): April 29, 2026
• Counting Day: May 4, 2026