BJP leader Rakesh Singh gestures while being produced at a court following his arrest for allegedly being involved in vandalising the Congress’ West Bengal unit headquarters, in Kolkata, on September 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Bharatiya Janta Party on Wednesday (April 8, 2026) chose Kolkata strongman Rakesh Singh, an accused in several cases of violence, to contest against senior Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim from the Kolkata Port constituency right after he was released on bail.
Mr. Singh was released on interim bail on Tuesday (April 7) from the Presidency Jail in Kolkata and was declared the Kolkata Port candidate. Kolkata Police had arrested him in an alleged extortion case.
Published – April 08, 2026 10:52 pm IST
