Khela Hobe: sport on as Trinamool fields sportspersons in north Bengal

An Asian Video games gold medal-winning athlete and a former first-class cricketer who represented Bengal within the Ranji Trophy are the Trinamool Congress candidates taking up Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) nominees in north Bengal.

Swapna Barman, the primary Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Video games gold in 2018 is the Trinamool candidate from Rajganj Meeting seat within the State’s Jalpaiguri district. On Monday, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) authorities formally accepted her resignation and issued her a clearance letter to contest the West Bengal polls.

The celebrated athlete, who joined the ruling occasion weeks earlier than the polls on February 27, 2026, has come to comprehend that sports activities and politics are completely different disciplines.

Swapna Barman, the primary Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Video games gold in 2018 is the Trinamool candidate from Rajganj Meeting seat within the State’s Jalpaiguri district. | Photograph Credit score: Particular association

“Sports activities is a really completely different subject and can’t be in contrast with politics. In sports activities, particular person dedication and arduous work issues and brings success. In politics, every thing relies on the need of the individuals,” Ms. The barman instructed The Hindu. The 29-year-old, who hails from Jalpaiguri, is promising that if elected, she’s going to try to arrange a sports activities academy in her constituency. “I need many Swapna Barmans to emerge from North Bengal,” she mentioned.

The athlete, who has received a number of medals at nationwide and worldwide occasions, suffered a private tragedy when her father Panchanan Barman died lately. Usually seen posing with tea backyard staff, Ms. Barman describes herself as “the native daughter who doesn’t want an introduction” and who has been despatched by Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee.

Hailing from the Rajbangshi group, Ms. Barman grew up in Jalpaiguri and received many laurels, together with the celebrated Arjuna Award. “The individuals in my constituency are quite simple, they simply need peace and growth. I’ll attempt for that,” she mentioned.

The athlete is contesting towards BJP’s Dinesh Sarkar, who has hyperlinks with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The CPI(M) has fielded Kharendranath Roy from the realm dotted by tea gardens.

About 150 km from Rajganj is the Tufanganj Meeting seat within the Cooch Behar district, the place former first-class cricketer Shib Sankar Paul is the election fray on a Trinamool ticket. The 46-year-old was a right-arm quick bowler and had represented the Bengal cricket group for a number of years. He joined the Trinamool on March 16, a day earlier than the occasion introduced candidates for the polls.

“I put together for ballot campaigns like I used to organize for a match. I train, then I do my homework in regards to the place I’m visiting,” mentioned the previous cricketer who was additionally included in India’s Take a look at squad in the course of the 2004–05 collection towards Australia.

Mr. Paul says that each cricket and politics don’t come simply to anybody. “Enjoying cricket could be very troublesome, nobody can say they are going to get these many runs or wickets. Identical approach politics can also be troublesome… However I really feel pleased that I can attain individuals and perceive their issues,” he mentioned.

The previous bowler says than when he was taking part in or teaching, he may assist solely a handful of individuals, however after becoming a member of Trinamool and contesting polls, he hopes that he can come to the help of the lots. He’s contesting towards BJP’s two-term MLA Malati Rava Roy who has served as a district president of the occasion. The CPI(M) has fielded Dhananjay Rava.

Previously, the Trinamool has fielded a number of candidates from the Bengali tv and movie trade, however this time the occasion has pinned hopes on sportspersons to revive its prospects in north Bengal.