Abhaya's mother announces she will contest election on BJP's ticket from Panihati

The mother of the RG Kar Medical College victim, often referred to as 'Abhaya' or 'Tilottama,' has announced her decision to contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. She will be the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Panihati constituency in North 24 Parganas. After months of leading a relentless struggle for justice following the tragic rape and murder of her daughter, she confirmed that she reached out to the BJP leadership to accept their offer, which she had previously declined on multiple occasions.

The decision marks a major turning point in the victim's family's pursuit of justice, shifting their battle from the streets to the legislative arena. For months, Abhaya’s parents were at the forefront of the "Reclaim the Night" protests and various civic movements, demanding accountability for the systemic failures at RG Kar Hospital. By entering the electoral fray, her mother aims to directly challenge the administrative machinery that she believes failed her daughter, turning the Panihati seat into a symbolic battleground for women's safety and institutional reform.

The Panihati constituency is set for a high-decibel triangular contest following this announcement. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, the son of veteran leader Nirmal Ghosh, while the CPI(M) has nominated Kalatan Dasgupta, a prominent face of the RG Kar protests.