Old-timer rewarded: BJP picks Rahul Sinha for Rajya Sabha

Kolkata: Bengal BJP on Tuesday nominated former state president Rahul Sinha for the March 16 Rajya Sabha polls from Bengal. Given BJP's numbers in Bengal assembly, Sinha is expected to have a smooth sail to the Rajya Sabha.A persistent fighter, Sinha sees this nomination as the party's recognition of his contribution to laying the foundation stone of the party in Bengal during his tenure as state president. Sinha said, "There is no opposition candidate, so if I pass scrutiny, I will be elected. There will be no contest, as for the five seats, there are four from Trinamool and one from BJP."
BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj speaking out against SIR and accepting Bengal govt's ‘Banga Bibhushan' has sparked unease in state BJP. Sinha's nomination is being read by party seniors as an attempt to avoid such controversies in an election year.In 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha election, Sinha fought from Kolkata North but lost. In 2016 assembly election, he lost from Jorasanko. In fact, across 10 assembly and parliamentary polls in various constituencies, victory has eluded him over the years — yet Sinha remains resilient. "I never got frustrated. I am grateful to God and never boast about anything," he said.Sinha's enduring value to BJP lies in his foundational role. When the party was a fledgling force in Bengal, he stood at the forefront, propping it up amid slim prospects. Sinha recalled that while he lost from Jorasanko in 2016, it was under his leadership that BJP bagged over 10% of votes in the state and secured three MLAs. Saying that he had been nominated to join the fight to end "unholy forces", Sinha said: "It is a major responsibility."Soon after seeing his name on the nomination list, Sinha recalled what now-BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya had said after his own RS nomination: "Rahulda should have been sent to the Rajya Sabha and not me". "It's one of the biggest achievements of my political career," Sinha said.About his Parliament plans, Sinha stated: "I will get barely two months to speak about Bengal's undemocratic govt. The govt will change after that." He said he would highlight the Narendra Modi-led govt's achievements and push for Bengal's development.