The BJP has chosen Rakesh Singh as its candidate for the Kolkata Port Assembly constituency following his recent release on bail from the Calcutta High Court. This decision has sparked interest in political circles. There were earlier speculations that he might contest against Firhad Hakim, a senior Trinamool Congress leader and the Mayor of Kolkata, for the Kolkata Port seat.
After the official announcement by the BJP, it has been confirmed that Rakesh Singh will indeed be contesting in the upcoming elections. He wasted no time and immediately began campaigning door-to-door in various wards of the constituency, including offering prayers at a local temple in the Kolkata Port area.
Last year in August, Rakesh Singh, a BJP leader, was accused of vandalizing the state Congress headquarters in central Kolkata and defacing a poster of Rahul Gandhi. The incident was reportedly in response to comments made by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s family during an election rally in Bihar. Following the incident, Rakesh Singh went into hiding, and the police initiated an investigation, leading to his arrest in September.
In October of the same year, Rakesh Singh and his son were arrested by the Kolkata Police for causing disturbances in a housing complex in the Kasba area of Kolkata. Even his minor daughter was detained by the police in connection with the incident. Despite facing multiple criminal cases, Rakesh Singh has been nominated as a BJP candidate, prompting discussions within political circles about his suitability for candidacy.
