Kolkata, 05 March (H.S.): Candidates of the Trinamool Congress formally filed their nomination papers on Thursday for the Rajya Sabha Elections 2026, intensifying political activity in West Bengal ahead of the biennial polls. The party has nominated actress Koel Mallick, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, former Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, and minister Babul Supriyo as its candidates.
Among the nominees, Babul Supriyo, a former Union Minister, is currently serving as the Cabinet Minister for Information Technology and Electronics in the West Bengal government. Rajeev Kumar previously held the post of Director General of Police in the state. Menaka Guruswamy is widely recognised for her expertise in constitutional law, while Koel Mallick is a prominent figure in the Bengali film industry. Political observers believe the selection reflects the party’s attempt to balance political, administrative, legal, and cultural representation in the Upper House.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Rahul Sinha also reached the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and submitted his nomination papers. He stated that his candidature conveys a strong message that the party recognises and rewards dedicated workers at the appropriate time. Sinha reiterated his commitment to working collectively for the welfare and development of Bengal.
The biennial Rajya Sabha elections to fill 37 seats across 10 states are scheduled to be held on March 16, with counting of votes to take place the same day. Results are expected to be announced at 5 PM. The terms of 37 members elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana are set to expire in April, necessitating the upcoming polls.
The last date for filing nominations was March 05. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on March 06, and candidates may withdraw their nominations until March 09. The entire process is being carried out under the supervision of the Election Commission to ensure a smooth conduct of the elections.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
