In a significant political move ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, the BJP has announced the candidacy of former IPS officer Rajesh Kumar. This announcement has sent ripples through the political landscape of the state, not just because of his administrative background, but due to his high-profile connections. Rajesh Kumar is a close relative of the influential former IPS officer Rajiv Kumar, a name well-known in Bengal’s power circles.

A 1990-batch IPS officer, Rajesh Kumar has had a long and storied career, having once been an insider within the Trinamool Congress’s central operations. During the UPA regime, when TMC was a coalition partner, Rajesh served as the Private Secretary (PS) to veteran leader Saugata Roy. Later, when Mukul Roy took over as the Railway Minister, Rajesh Kumar continued in the pivotal role of his Private Secretary. His deep understanding of TMC’s organizational structure and his administrative experience make him a formidable contender.

By fielding Rajesh Kumar, the BJP aims to leverage his inside knowledge of the ruling party’s tactics and his seasoned administrative expertise. Political analysts suggest that targeting the industrial belt of Barrackpore with a former high-ranking official is a calculated move to challenge TMC’s dominance. The battle has now become personal and strategic, as a man who once worked behind the scenes for TMC’s heavyweights prepares to take them on directly under the lotus symbol.