Personal tragedy, internal rift test TMC’s Swapna Barman in Rajganj

The election battle in north Bengal’s Rajganj Assembly constituency has taken a poignant turn as Trinamul Congress candidate Swapna Barman faces both political challenges and personal bereavement ahead of the polls.

In a tragic development, Panchanan Barman (64), father of the Asian Games gold medallist, died early Saturday morning at a private hospital in Siliguri after battling critical illness for several days. The loss dealt a severe blow to Miss Barman, who had already been unable to begin full-fledged campaigning due to her father’s deteriorating condition.

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A native of the remote Dhingpara area of Ghoshpara under Patkata Gram Panchayat in Jalpaiguri district, Miss Barman shot to international fame after winning gold in the heptathlon at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. She has also secured multiple medals at national and international events. Having recently stepped away from competitive athletics and her job with the railways, she joined the Trinamul Congress and was fielded from Rajganj for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Significantly, she was at her father’s bedside when her candidature was announced and could not join campaign activities. On Thursday, she offered prayers at the Bhramari Devi Temple, seeking both her father’s recovery and electoral success, hoping to begin campaigning once his condition improved.

Her nomination itself followed internal deliberations within the party. Initially, sections of the district leadership were reportedly reluctant to field her. However, senior leaders including Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee backed her candidature. She was first considered for the Dabgram-Fulbari seat before being nominated from Rajganj, replacing sitting MLA Khageshwar Roy. Mr Roy had expressed dissatisfaction over the decision, though party sources said the leadership intervened to contain the fallout.

Despite these efforts, a section of Mr Roy’s supporters is believed to be unhappy, posing organisational challenges for Miss Barman. Party insiders, however, say the athlete-turned-candidate is determined to overcome the setbacks with the same resilience that defined her sporting career.