KOLKATA: Arrested in the Vidyasagar statue vandalism case in 2019, BJP’s Rakesh Singh filed his nomination on Thursday, the final day for submissions, from the Kolkata Port seat while carrying a portrait of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, a 19th-century social reformer and one of Bengal’s icons. The state govt had earlier informed Calcutta high court that Singh is a historysheeter and has 56 criminal cases against him in which he has been granted bail. Singh, who was in Presidency Jail for five-and-a-half months, was released after the HC granted interim bail on April 6 to contest the assembly polls. Singh’s election affidavit, which must declare all pending criminal cases against him, was unavailable on the EC website until Thursday night. With rain playing spoilsport, Singh’s much-hyped nomination procession featuring Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut had to be cancelled, and he was accompanied by family members and 12-15 supporters as he went to file his papers. He said Trinamool govt had falsely accused him of vandalising Vidyasagar’s bust. “My mother did not raise me to be a hooligan,” said Singh, raising Vidyasagar’s portrait above his head. “I will campaign from Friday and will reach every corner to prove there is no ‘mini Pakistan’ here,” he added. Singh faces no fewer than 91 cases. The BJP candidate said several established netas had even larger numbers of “politically motivated” cases against them.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Glimmer Of Hope’: Mauritius PM Hails India’s Support Amid Iran Crisis, Eyes Key Oil And Gas DealElection Season Kicks Off With Record Voter Turnout In Assam, Puducherry As Kerala Clocks 77% VotingIndia Withdraws Bid To Host COP33 In 2028 — Here’s Why The Government ReconsideredIndia Ramps Up Gulf Outreach: Hardeep Puri Heads To Qatar, Jaishankar to UAE After US-Iran TruceAre You A ‘Worker’ Or Just An Employee? India’s Labour Codes ExplainedDelhi’s Gas Shift: IGL Asks Residents to Move from LPG to PNG Amid Supply PushIndia Tells Seafarers To Remain Indoors As Iran War Puts Strait of Hormuz On EdgeOperation Sindoor Signals India’s Shift To Multi-Domain, Data-Driven Warfare : General DwivediWorld Bank Raises India’s FY27 Growth Forecast to 6.6%, Flags Global Risks From West Asia Conflict’Topple Didi At Any Cost?’ TMC Releases Viral Sting Video To Target Humayun Kabir, BJP Denies Link123PhotostoriesPlastic vs. stainless steel casserole: Which is healthier and safer for storing rotisKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 probable contestants list: Farrhana Bhat, Gaurav Khanna to Manisha Rani likely to join Rohit Shetty’s showHeavyweights line up to vote as Puducherry holds assembly pollsHeavyweights line up to vote as Puducherry holds assembly polls5 elegant bridal picks for a simple court wedding beyond the lehengaNavi Mumbai’s luxury real estate boom: Developers shaping the premium market7 refreshing chutneys made with vegetable peels to keep the gut cool in summer8 unique animals that exist only in Australia and look unrealBest Hollywood horror movies streaming on OTT right now: ‘Hereditary’ and ‘The Conjuring’ to ‘The Ritual’Your biggest weakness you should never ignore; based on your number123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingCandace OwensCardi BTiger WoodsMrBeastUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026
KOLKATA: Arrested in the Vidyasagar statue vandalism case in 2019, BJP’s Rakesh Singh filed his nomination on Thursday, the final day for submissions, from the Kolkata Port seat while carrying a portrait of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, a 19th-century social reformer and one of Bengal’s icons. The state govt had earlier informed Calcutta high court that Singh is a historysheeter and has 56 criminal cases against him in which he has been granted bail. Singh, who was in Presidency Jail for five-and-a-half months, was released after the HC granted interim bail on April 6 to contest the assembly polls. Singh’s election affidavit, which must declare all pending criminal cases against him, was unavailable on the EC website until Thursday night. With rain playing spoilsport, Singh’s much-hyped nomination procession featuring Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut had to be cancelled, and he was accompanied by family members and 12-15 supporters as he went to file his papers. He said Trinamool govt had falsely accused him of vandalising Vidyasagar’s bust. “My mother did not raise me to be a hooligan,” said Singh, raising Vidyasagar’s portrait above his head. “I will campaign from Friday and will reach every corner to prove there is no ‘mini Pakistan’ here,” he added. Singh faces no fewer than 91 cases. The BJP candidate said several established netas had even larger numbers of “politically motivated” cases against them.
