Soon after being named as the BJP candidate for the Sonarpur South constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections, Roopa Ganguly struck a defiant note. The veteran actress-politician, known for her fiery speeches, immediately recalled the hardships and physical attacks she and her party workers faced over the last few years in West Bengal.

“I haven’t forgotten a single day of how we were beaten up in West Bengal. I haven’t forgotten the way the police intimidated us. Our Karyakartas have suffered immensely, and I carry those memories as my strength in this election,” Roopa said in an emotional address. Her statement highlights the high-stakes, often violent nature of the political battleground in the state.

Roopa Ganguly’s return to the electoral fray from a crucial seat like Sonarpur South is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to mobilize its grassroots base. Her “Draupadi” persona from the iconic Mahabharat series often resonates with voters when she speaks about standing up against injustice. By positioning her candidacy as a response to past “persecution,” Roopa aims to consolidate the anti-incumbency vote. The battle for Sonarpur South has now become personal for the BJP leader, as she seeks “justice” through the ballot box.