Election preparations in West Bengal are gaining momentum. The intense clash between Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and the BJP has captured everyone's attention. All parties are in the process of releasing their respective candidate lists. Amid this, the BJP has made a very calculated strategic move on Wednesday by fielding the mother of the doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College, Ratna Debnath.
Ratna Debnath has been fielded by the BJP from the Panihati constituency in its third list of candidates for West Bengal elections. Panihati constitution assembly considered as TMC's stronghold.
In an interview with PTI, the RG kar victim's parents said their decision to align with the BJP and contest the upcoming assembly elections was driven by their continuing fight for justice.
"We had been saying from the beginning that we would not allow anyone to indulge in politics with our child's death. But what did the Left do other than just protest?," victim's parents said.
Who Is Ratna Debnath?
Ratna Debnath is mother of RG kar medical collage and hospital victim, who was raped and murdered brutally inside the collage's seminar room in August 2024. Her daughter was second year post-graduate trainee doctor.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru Shocker: Techie Jumps To Death From 17th Floor After Husband Found Dead At Home
Ratna Debnath has officially entered the electoral race as a BJP candidate for the Panihati assembly seat (Constituency No. 111). Located within the North 24 Parganas district, this area is traditionally viewed as a TMC bastion. Debnath and her husband formally joined the BJP shortly before her nomination was announced. The deceased doctor's father insisted their entry into politics was not about power.
"We are not joining politics for power. We are doing this so that women in West Bengal are safe from the 'goondaraj' of the TMC," he said.
What Led Ratna Debnath To Join Politics
According to Debnath, her entry into politics is fueled by a personal and social mission. Her primary objectives include:
Justice: Seeking accountability for her daughter’s tragic death.
Safety: Prioritising the protection of women across the state.
Governance: Taking a stand against prevailing corruption in West Bengal.
"If I can serve people, my daughter will also be happy. I want the lotus to bloom across West Bengal and TMC to be uprooted," Debnath told to PTI.
ALSO READ: Delhi To Witness Rainfall Today? IMD Issues Orange Alert As Sky Turns Cloudy
Why Ratna Debnath Choose BJP Over TMC
Ratna Debnath said she had earlier received an offer from the BJP and TMC but was not mentally prepared to enter politics at that time.
"I had long back received offers from all political parties, including the TMC and the BJP, but I was not mentally ready then. Recently, I decided to contest the polls because I want to end the misrule of the Trinamool Congress," she said.
"Given incidents of violence against women and the urgent need for their safety, I personally expressed my desire to become a BJP candidate and held discussions with the party leadership," she said.
Other Candidates From Panihati Assembly
The Trinamool Congress has nominated Tirthankar Ghosh, the son of the incumbent MLA Nirmal Ghosh, as they look to maintain their influence in this traditional stronghold. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has fielded Kalatan Dasgupta, who gained significant prominence as a leading face during the protests following the RG Kar incident.
The voting for the Panihati assembly constituency is scheduled for April 29, as part of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.