Trinamool picks Rajeev Kumar, Babul Supriyo, Menaka Guruswamy, Koel Mallick for RS polls

Announcing on X, the party stated, “We are pleased to announce the candidature of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar (Former DGP, West Bengal), Menaka Guruswamy and Koel Mallick for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.”

Extending its congratulations, the party said it was confident the nominees would uphold Trinamool’s legacy. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them. May they continue to uphold Trinamool’s enduring legacy of resilience and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian,” it said.

Diverse backgrounds

The nominations have drawn attention for the diversity of professional backgrounds represented — spanning politics, law, administration and cinema.

Rajeev Kumar served as Director General of Police of West Bengal from July 2024 until his retirement on January 31, 2026.

He was a central figure during the 2019 CBI standoff at his residence linked to the Saradha chit fund probe. Mamata Banerjee had at the time described him as “the best police officer in the world.”

Babul Supriyo, a former BJP MP, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Asansol in 2014 and 2019 before resigning and joining the Trinamool Congress in 2021.

He was later elected to the West Bengal Assembly from Ballygunge in 2022.

Reacting to the announcement, Supriyo told The Telegraph Online that while his parliamentary journey began strongly, it did not end on a high note.

“Didi and Abhishek picked me up when things were difficult. I am grateful to Didi for bringing music back into my life. I am not a politician-politician — I would rather be known as singer Babul. This is a new role and I will do my best,” he said, adding that he plans to buy a new motorcycle in Delhi.

Menaka Guruswamy, a senior advocate, could become India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament if elected.

She was one of the petitioners in the marriage equality case before the Supreme Court and recently represented West Bengal, along with Kapil Sibal, in the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case.

Guruswamy also appeared for the TMC in legal proceedings challenging Enforcement Directorate searches at the offices of political consultancy I-PAC.

Koel Mallick, one of Tollywood’s leading stars, recently scored a box-office success with Sarthopor. She is the daughter of veteran actor Ranjit Mullick, who previously served as the Sheriff of Kolkata.

Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had met Ranjit Mullick at his residence earlier this month.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has a long history of fielding actors in electoral politics, beginning with veteran actress Madhabi Mukherjee in the 2001 Assembly elections.

Over the years, the party has also backed popular film personalities such as Dev, Mimi Chakraborty, and Nusrat Jahan.

BJP reaction

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has questioned the Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha nominations, pointing out that half of the party’s nominees are non-Bengalis.

They have asked whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was unable to find enough Bengalis to represent the state in Parliament.

They alleged that the selections suggest an attempt to accommodate individuals who are personally loyal to the chief minister, claiming she is rewarding those who, they argue, are willing participants in what they describe as a wider system of corruption and wrongdoing.