Money laundering accused Saket Gokhale gets TMC’s Rajya Sabha ticket from Bengal

The Trinamool Congress spokesperson, facing multiple cases including alleged money laundering, has been named as one of the six candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections from West Bengal. Gokhale has been critical of the ruling BJP-led government at the Center and is currently out on bail. Gokhale was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January this year in a case related to alleged irregularities in a crowd-funding initiative.

Other candidates named by the TMC include sitting Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O’Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dola Sen, Sameerul Islam and Prakash Chik Badaik. Derek O’Brien is a Rajya Sabha MP from TMC since 2011. Ray, on the other hand, was first sent to the Upper House of Parliament in 2012 and is the deputy chief whip of the party. Sen, a senior leader and trade unionist, became a Rajya Sabha MP in 2017.

This time TMC has decided to send Sameerul Islam, president of Bangla Sanskriti Manch, to the Upper House. TMC’s Alipurduar district president Prakash Chik Badaik has also been included in the list. According to PTI, apart from O’Brien, Ray and Sen, Congress MP Pradeep Bhattacharya, TMC’s Assam leader Sushmita Dev and Darjeeling leader Shanta Chhetri have ended their terms, leaving the six seats vacant. ,

“We are very happy to announce the candidature of Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen, Sukhendu Shekhar, Samirul Islam, Prakash Chik Badaik and Saket Gokhale for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. They are committed to serving the people and keeping Trinamool May you live up to your dedication to the cause. An enduring legacy of indomitable spirit and advocacy for the rights of every Indian. We extend our warmest greetings to all,” the party tweeted from its official handle on Monday morning, TMC said in a tweet.

We are pleased to announce the candidature of @derekobrienmp , @dollasen7 , @Sukhendushekhar, @sameerul65556476 , @chikprakash And @saketgokhale for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. May he continue in his dedication to serve the people and keep Trinamool alive… – All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) 10 July 2023

TMC is the ruling party in West Bengal’s 294-member assembly with 216 MLAs. It also has the support of five BJP MLAs, who joined the ruling party but are yet to resign from the House. BJP’s strength in the assembly is 70. Polling for Rajya Sabha seats will be held on July 24 and the counting of votes will take place at 5 pm on the same day, an hour after the polling process ends.