Trinamool Congress Announces Rajya Sabha Candidates Ahead of Upcoming Elections

The Trinamool Congress has officially announced its nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, including notable figures such as advocate Menaka Guruswamy and state minister Babul Supriyo. Scheduled for March 16, the elections are expected to see the party secure a majority of the available seats. The nominations have sparked criticism from the BJP, questioning the selection of candidates. This political move comes ahead of the anticipated Assembly elections later this year, as the Trinamool Congress continues its long-standing governance in West Bengal since 2011.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 07:55 IST

Trinamool Congress Nominations for Rajya Sabha

On Friday, the Trinamool Congress revealed its nominees for the Rajya Sabha elections, which include advocate Menaka Guruswamy, former West Bengal Police chief Rajeev Kumar, state minister Babul Supriyo, and actress Koel Mallick.

The elections are scheduled for March 16, and the party is anticipated to secure four out of the five available seats, given its strong position in the Assembly.

Menaka Guruswamy, along with her partner Arundhati Katju, played a pivotal role in challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in the Supreme Court, leading to its decriminalization in 2018.

She also represented the Bengal government in the Supreme Court regarding the 2024 Kolkata rape and murder case.

Guruswamy acted as the Trinamool’s legal counsel in the Calcutta High Court during a dispute involving Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Enforcement Directorate earlier this year.

Rajeev Kumar held the position of Bengal’s director general of police from December 2023 until January, with a brief removal by the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha elections.

Babul Supriyo, who serves as the state minister for information technology and public enterprises, transitioned to the Trinamool Congress in 2022 after leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021. He previously served as a Union minister from 2014 to 2021.

The party expressed confidence that its nominees will continue its legacy of resilience and commitment to protecting citizens' rights and dignity.

In response, the BJP criticized the nominations, questioning the selection of candidates, suggesting that half of them were non-Bengalis. They raised concerns on social media about the adequacy of local candidates.

These Rajya Sabha elections are taking place ahead of the anticipated Assembly elections in April or May, with the Trinamool Congress having been in power since 2011.