Ratna Debnath is the BJP's candidate for the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. She is the mother of a postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in 2024, sparking widespread protests against the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Debnath aims to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress, which has dominated the region, by highlighting systemic failures in justice and safety. She has publicly mourned her daughter by not combing her hair since the tragedy and has vowed to fight for justice for her and other victims. The BJP claims the Trinamool Congress obstructed the investigation into her daughter's case, while the ruling party insists that the investigation was conducted properly. A Special Investigation Team was formed, and the case was later handed over to the CBI, resulting in the conviction of Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2025. The West Bengal elections are scheduled for April 23 and 29, with results to be announced on May 4.