BJP Releases 3rd Candidate List for West Bengal Elections 2026; RG Kar Victim’s Mother Fielded from Panihati

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its third list of candidates for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on Wednesday. The list, vetted and approved by the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC), carries the definitive seal of the party’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This latest announcement features 19 candidates, strategically filling some of the remaining gaps in the party's statewide deployment. Coming on the heels of the first two lists of 144 and 111 candidates respectively, this third part of the roster underscores the BJP’s focus on high-stakes constituencies and symbolic appointments aimed at challenging the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The Panihati Mandate: Justice as an Electoral Plank The most significant development in this list is the official candidacy of Ratna Debnath from the Panihati constituency. Debnath is the mother of the victim in the high-profile R.G. Kar Medical College case, a tragedy that sparked nationwide outrage and a sustained protest movement in Bengal. By fielding Debnath, the BJP has moved to centralize the issues of women’s safety and law and order in its campaign. Debnath has publicly stated that her entry into the political fray is a direct pursuit of justice for her daughter, citing a lack of accountability and systemic corruption under the current administration. Strategic Appointments and Key Constituencies The third list further diversifies the BJP’s candidate profile, blending professional expertise with local leadership: Uttarpara: The party has nominated Dipanjan Chakraborty, a retired NSG commando and intelligence officer. His background in national security is seen as a tactical move to appeal to voters concerned with regional stability and disciplined governance. Howrah Madhya: Biplab Mandal has been tasked with securing this vital urban center, a seat that remains a priority for the BJP’s expansion into the Howrah district. Medinipur: Dr. Sankar Guchhait will represent the party in this historic constituency, reinforcing the BJP’s strategy of fielding medical professionals and intellectuals. Coochbehar Dakshin: Rathindra Nath Bose has been fielded to consolidate the party’s existing stronghold in North Bengal, where the BJP has historically performed well in recent cycles. English Bazar: Amlan Bhaduri will contest from this key Malda district seat, a region characterized by intense multi-cornered contests.

भाजपा की केंद्रीय चुनाव समिति ने पश्चिम बंगाल में होने वाले विधानसभा चुनाव 2026 के लिए अपनी तीसरी सूची में निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की। pic.twitter.com/64FzXYXA3N

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 25, 2026

A Consolidated Front With the third list, the BJP’s slate is now fully prepared for the two-phase elections scheduled for April 23 and April 29, 2026. The selection of candidates like Ratna Debnath and Dipanjan Chakraborty indicates a clear intent to leverage emotional resonance alongside professional credentials to disrupt the TMC’s organizational dominance. This list consists of various names and constituencies that are important in West Bengal elections, signaling the start of a rigorous final push toward the May 4 counting day.