West Bengal polls: Rakesh Singh out on bail, likely to get BJP ticket

KOLKATA: BJP leader Rakesh Singh stepped out of Presidency jail on Tuesday afternoon after being granted an interim bail by the Calcutta High Court to contest the assembly polls from Kolkata Port.

Singh, greeted by enthusiastic supporters outside the prison, is yet to be formally announced as BJP's candidate. The party has, however, told the HC that Singh will be its candidate. The deadline for filing nomination is April 9.




Justice Kausik Chanda in his bail order clearly spelt out: "It is clarified that in the event the petitioner does not receive the party nomination to contest the election, the state shall be at liberty to apply for cancellation of bail." A senior BJP leader said the party was likely to announce Singh as its candidate on Wednesday and Singh would file his nomination on April 9.

The state govt opposed Singh's bail due to his criminal antecedents. According to the Bengal govt, Singh has been listed on the EC portal as a "history-sheeter" and a "trouble monger". Singh claimed in HC that in all prior cases, he has either been granted bail or anticipatory bail.

Singh's release from prison and excitement among his followers prompted a sharp attack from an unlikely quarter, Sona Pappu. Biswajit Poddar alias Pappu, who is now on the run, took to social media to question "BJP's double standards" in making Singh its candidate and "unleashing" central agencies and police against him. Pappu's social media fusillade comes only a day ahead of ED asking him to appear for questioning on April 8.

Singh, who offered puja, did not speak with the media. He also did not post any statement on social media.
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