BJP unveiled its second list of 111 candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 on Thursday, with the nomination of former IPS officer Rajesh Kumar from Jagaddal emerging as the biggest surprise.
Kumar, a 1990-batch officer who retired in January this year, has been fielded from the industrial belt of Jagaddal in North 24 Parganas. His entry into electoral politics had been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, believed to have backed his candidature.
BJP list also features several prominent names, setting up key electoral battles across the state. Senior leader Tapas Roy has been nominated from Maniktala, where he is likely to face Shreya Pandey, the daughter of late minister Sadhan Pandey, who has been fielded by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
In Noapara, the contest is expected to be closely watched, with BJP’s Arjun Singh emerging as a key contender. The ruling TMC has replaced incumbent MLA Manju Basu with student leader Trinankur Bhattacharya.
Among younger faces, BJP spokesperson Tarunjyoti Tewari has been fielded from Rajarhat-Gopalpur, reflecting the party’s effort to promote its new generation of leaders.
The list also includes several well-known personalities. Actress-turned-politician Roopa Ganguly will contest from Sonarpur against TMC’s Lovely Maitra.
In Tollygunge, actor Papia Adhikari has been nominated by the BJP, setting up a direct contest with sitting minister Arup Biswas. Meanwhile, Dibyendu Adhikari, brother of Suvendu Adhikari, will contest from Egra, East Midnapore.
Despite the presence of several prominent names, Kumar’s candidature has drawn the most attention. Known within administrative and political circles, Kumar has had a long and eventful career in the police service. He is believed to share professional ties with Rajeev Kumar, a former Director General of Police and a close associate of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently a Rajya Sabha MP for the TMC. Kumar also served as Officer on Special Duty to former Union Minister Chandresh Kumar Katoch during the early years of the Government of India under Narendra Modi.
In West Bengal, Kumar’s closest political association was with Mukul Roy, who played a key role in bringing him back to Kolkata from Delhi. He was appointed Additional Director General of the State Intelligence Branch in 2016 but was shifted the following year amid political changes. He later served in the Pollution Control Board, where he developed a close working relationship with Adhikari, then the state’s Environment Minister.
Kumar’s entry into the BJP fold is being viewed as a significant strategic move, given his administrative experience and network within the state’s power corridors.
With the announcement of this list, the BJP has not only set the stage for several high-stakes contests but also signalled its intent to blend experienced administrators, seasoned politicians, and new faces in its bid to expand its footprint in West Bengal.
The coming weeks are expected to witness intensified campaigning as parties gear up for a closely contested election.
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