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 Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation U.S.-Iran ceasefire: What does the ceasefire mean for India? Four Bangladeshi nationals sentenced in human trafficking case by NIA court