TMC Nominates Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy for Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, February 28, 2026: In a significant move ahead of the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced the nomination of Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy as one of its candidates from West Bengal.

The announcement, made on Friday, February 27, 2026, marks a historic moment in Indian parliamentary history. If elected, Guruswamy is set to become India’s first openly LGBTQ+ Member of Parliament. Her nomination is part of a four-member slate that includes state minister Babul Supriyo, former West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, and acclaimed actor Koel Mallick.

A Trailblazer in Constitutional Law

Menaka Guruswamy is widely recognized as one of the most formidable legal minds in India. A Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court, she has built a career defined by high-stakes constitutional litigation and a commitment to civil liberties.

She is perhaps best known for her pivotal role in the decriminalization of homosexuality in India. Alongside her partner, Arundhati Katju, Guruswamy led the legal battle against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Their victory in 2018 not only reshaped Indian law but also earned them a place on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019.

Beyond LGBTQ+ rights, Guruswamy has been a vocal advocate for:

• The Right to Education (RTE): Defending the 25% reservation for underprivileged children in private schools.
• Bureaucratic Independence: Arguing for fixed tenures for civil servants to reduce political interference.
• State-Agency Disputes: Representing the West Bengal government in various legal battles against central agencies.

Strategic Significance for TMC

The selection of Guruswamy reflects Mamata Banerjee’s “masterstroke” strategy of blending grassroots politics with elite professional expertise. By fielding a constitutional expert of Guruswamy’s caliber, the TMC aims to strengthen its voice in the Upper House, particularly on issues concerning federalism and legal disputes with the Centre.

The party stated on social media:

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them. May they continue to uphold Trinamool’s enduring legacy of resilience and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian.”

The 2026 Candidate Slate

The TMC’s nominations for the five vacant seats in West Bengal are diverse:

1. Menaka Guruswamy: Legal and constitutional heavyweight.
2. Rajeev Kumar: Former DGP, bringing administrative and security expertise.
3. Babul Supriyo: Former Union Minister and current state IT Minister, providing political experience.
4. Koel Mallick: Representing Bengal’s cultural and cinematic heritage.

Election Arithmetic

The elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across India, including five from West Bengal, are scheduled for March 16, 2026.

In the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly, the TMC holds a dominant majority. Given the current numbers, the TMC is comfortably positioned to win four of the five seats, while the opposition BJP is expected to secure the fifth. Guruswamy’s path to the Rajya Sabha appears clear, barring any last-minute additional nominations that could trigger a formal contest.

Global Recognition

A Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University and a Gammon Fellow from Harvard Law School, Guruswamy has served as a visiting faculty member at prestigious institutions like Yale and Columbia. She also holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to have her portrait displayed at Milner Hall in Rhodes House, Oxford.

As the political landscape shifts toward the 2026 Assembly elections, Guruswamy’s entry into Parliament is expected to provide the TMC with a sharp, legally-grounded edge in national debates.