BJP Candidate Rakesh Singh Submits Nomination with Vidyasagar Portrait, Denies Vandalism Charges
In a dramatic turn of events, BJP candidate Rakesh Singh filed his nomination on Thursday for the Kolkata Port assembly seat, marking the final day for submissions. Singh, who was arrested in connection with the 2019 Vidyasagar statue vandalism case, carried a portrait of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, the revered 19th-century social reformer and a cultural icon of Bengal, as he submitted his papers.
Background of Criminal Cases and Bail
The state government had previously informed the Calcutta High Court that Singh is a history-sheeter with a staggering 56 criminal cases registered against him, all of which he has been granted bail for. Singh spent five-and-a-half months in Presidency Jail before being released on April 6, after the High Court granted him interim bail specifically to contest the ongoing assembly elections.
His election affidavit, which is mandated to declare all pending criminal cases, was conspicuously unavailable on the Election Commission website until late Thursday night, raising questions about transparency.
Nomination Procession Cancelled Due to Rain
Heavy rain played spoilsport, forcing the cancellation of Singh's much-hyped nomination procession. The event was slated to feature prominent BJP leaders such as Suvendu Adhikari and MP Kangana Ranaut. Instead, Singh was accompanied only by family members and a modest group of 12-15 supporters as he proceeded to file his nomination.
Singh's Defense and Campaign Plans
Addressing the media, Singh vehemently denied the allegations of vandalizing Vidyasagar's bust, attributing the charges to false accusations by the Trinamool government. "My mother did not raise me to be a hooligan," he asserted, raising the portrait of Vidyasagar above his head in a symbolic gesture.
He announced his intention to commence campaigning from Friday, vowing to reach every corner of his constituency. "I will campaign from Friday and will reach every corner to prove there is no 'mini Pakistan' here," he added, making a pointed political statement.
Extent of Criminal Cases and Political Context
Singh faces no fewer than 91 criminal cases in total, a figure he downplayed by comparing it to other politicians. He argued that several established netas have even larger numbers of what he described as "politically motivated" cases against them, suggesting a pattern of targeting by opposition forces.
This development highlights the intense political climate in Bengal, where criminal cases and allegations often become central to election narratives, with candidates leveraging symbolic acts to counter negative perceptions.
