Asian Games Gold Medalist Swapna Barman Joins Trinamool Congress in Kolkata
In a significant political development ahead of the Bengal assembly elections, Asian Games gold-winning heptathlete Swapna Barman officially joined the Trinamool Congress on Friday. The event took place at Trinamool Bhavan in Kolkata, where she was welcomed by state ministers and party leaders.
Barman's Motivation and Background
Swapna Barman, a 29-year-old from Jalpaiguri's Ghoshpara village, expressed her admiration for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the joining ceremony. "I am inspired every moment by the leadership of Mamata Banerjee," Barman stated after receiving the party flag from state ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Bratya Basu, along with Goutam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation.
She elaborated on her decision, highlighting Banerjee's grassroots rise and development initiatives. "The way Mamata Banerjee rose from the grassroots and elevated Bengal to its present stature is something rarely possible elsewhere. I wanted to be a part of her development efforts, motivated by the various schemes she implemented for the people," Barman added, noting that this platform would allow her to work for the public.
Sports Achievements and Career
Born into a Rajbanshi family, Barman has an illustrious sports career:
- Won heptathlon gold at the 2018 Asian Games.
- Secured first place at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championship.
- Received the Arjuna Award in 2019 for her contributions to athletics.
Despite a back injury that led her to consider retiring from athletics after her Asian Games success, she continues as an employee of the North East Frontier Railway. Rumors of her political entry had circulated for some time, with initial hints pointing towards the BJP, but her joining TMC fructified after Mamata Banerjee honored her at a ceremony in Siliguri earlier this year.
Political Implications and Rajbanshi Focus
Chandrima Bhattacharya praised Barman's journey, emphasizing her grit and representation of Bengal's youth. "Swapna has made the country proud on the international stage. Her journey from a small village to becoming a champion is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Bengal," she said, adding that as a woman, she congratulated Barman for choosing Trinamool.
This move underscores TMC's strategic focus on north Bengal, particularly the Rajbanshi community. Just a week prior, Kurseong BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma, another prominent Rajbanshi figure, also joined the party, taking the TMC flag from ministers on February 19.
Speculation Around Singer Aneek Dhar
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that singer and reality show star Aneek Dhar may follow suit. Dhar posted a photo with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, praising his leadership. In his post, he described Banerjee as "dynamic, determined, and dedicated to Bengal's pride and progress," fueling rumors of his potential entry into politics.
A party insider compared this to actor Parno Mittra's shift to TMC after contesting the 2021 assembly elections on a BJP ticket, suggesting a pattern of high-profile joinings ahead of the polls.
The fresh inductions highlight Trinamool's efforts to bolster its roster with celebrated faces as election season approaches, signaling a keen focus on leveraging popular figures to connect with voters across Bengal.
