Out on bail, BJP candidate Rakesh Singh with 56 criminal cases files papers for Kolkata Port constituency

KOLKATA: Arrested in the Vidyasagar statue vandalism case, BJP leader Rakesh Singh filed his nomination on Thursday — the final day for submissions — for the Kolkata Port constituency while carrying a portrait of Vidyasagar.

The Bengal govt had previously informed Calcutta High Court that Singh is a history-sheeter. He has 56 criminal cases against him, in which he has been granted bail. Singh, who was imprisoned for five-and-a-half months, was released on interim bail by the HC on April 6 to contest the Bengal assembly polls as a BJP candidate. Singh's election affidavit, which must declare all pending criminal cases against him, was unavailable on the EC website until late on Thursday night.

With rain playing spoilsport, Singh's much-hyped procession — featuring Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and actor-turned-BJP MP Kangana Ranaut — had to be cancelled. Forced to alter his plans, Singh set off from his Watgunge residence around 11 am and offered puja nearby. Flanked by family members, his son and mother led the way, followed by 12-15 supporters in three other cars.

"The Mamata Banerjee govt has falsely accused me of vandalising a bust of Vidyasagar. My mother did not raise me to be a hooligan. I have brought her with me today to send a message," said Singh, displaying the portrait above his head. "I will campaign from Friday and will reach every corner to prove there is no ‘mini Pakistan' here," Singh said before entering the office.

His advocate arrived moments later.

On Wednesday, BJP named Singh — who was released from Presidency jail on Tuesday — as its candidate for the Kolkata Port constituency, amid reports that he faces no fewer than 91 cases.

Singh, who started off as a union leader at the Kolkata zoo, claimed that several established netas have even larger numbers of "politically motivated" cases against them.

Singh, who was arrested in Sept 2025 at a private residence in Tangra after allegedly absconding for five days, was granted bail with several conditions.

On Aug 29, 2025, a group of BJP supporters led by Singh attacked Bidhan Bhawan, defaced posters of Rahul Gandhi, and burnt tyres outside the office to protest against remarks allegedly targeting PM Narendra Modi. The BJP candidate had live-streamed the incident. Singh was also arrested for involvement in a fracas over the occupation of a flat.

Kunal Ghosh, the Trinamool candidate from Beleghata and party spokesperson, claimed BJP is as clueless about the Port constituency as Singh himself. "He has so many FIRs against him. This is a dangerous trend. His name was only announced in the sixth round of the BJP list," Ghosh said.

In the outgoing Bengal assembly, an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report stated that out of 291 sitting MLAs analysed, 136 (47%) declared criminal cases against themselves. Among them, eight MLAs declared cases related to murder (IPC Section 302), and 22 declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of those 22 sitting MLAs, one has declared a case related to rape.


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