The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has nominated senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16. Alongside her, the party has fielded Union minister Babul Supriyo, former West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, and actor Koel Mallick for seats in the Upper House.
“We are pleased to announce the candidature of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar (Former DGP, West Bengal), Menaka Guruswamy and Koel Mallick for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections”, TMC posted on X.
We are pleased to announce the candidature of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar (Former DGP, West Bengal), Menaka Guruswamy and Koel Mallick for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) February 27, 2026
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them. May they continue to uphold Trinamool’s…
“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.”
Who is Menaka Guruswamy?
Menaka Guruswamy is a senior advocate practising in the Supreme Court of India. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation in constitutional law and litigation. She began her legal career in 1997, working under former Attorney General of India Ashok Desai, whom she considers her mentor. During this period, she focused largely on constitutional matters and complex litigation.
Also Read | Minister, actor, advocate, cop: Trinamool Congress announces Rajya Sabha candidates - here is the list
After about a year and a half of practice, Guruswamy pursued higher studies abroad. She completed her Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford and later earned an LLM degree from Harvard Law School. She returned to India in 2001 and has since been based in New Delhi.
Role in Section 377 verdict
Guruswamy was among the lawyers who argued in the landmark case that led to the decriminalisation of same-sex relations in India. In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down parts of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, effectively decriminalising homosexuality.
The verdict was widely seen as a turning point for LGBTQ rights in India, and Guruswamy’s role in the case placed her among the prominent legal voices associated with the historic judgment.
Also Read | Who is Swapna Barman? Asian Games Gold Medalist joins Trinamool Congress amid election fever
Recognition and recent legal work
In 2019, she was featured in Foreign Policy magazine’s list of 100 most influential Global Thinkers. More recently, Guruswamy represented the Trinamool Congress in court in a case challenging the Enforcement Directorate’s raids at the offices of I-PAC, a political consultancy firm associated with election campaign strategy.
