West Bengal Assembly Election 2026: Sports persons got TMC Ticket
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## Sports Stars Step Onto Political Field in Bengal Elections
**Kolkata, West Bengal** – As the political landscape of West Bengal gears up for another electoral contest, the ruling Trinamool Congress has once again unveiled a roster of candidates that includes a blend of familiar faces and unexpected new entrants. While the world of entertainment has seen fewer fresh faces on the TMC ticket this time, the realm of sports has provided a significant surge of new contenders, particularly in the BJP’s traditional stronghold of North Bengal. The party chief, it appears, is aiming to turn the political arena into a new playground for these sports personalities.
In a move that has been the subject of much speculation, star athlete Swapna Barman will be contesting from the Rajganj assembly constituency. The announcement was made official on February 27th at Trinamool Bhavan, where the acclaimed athlete officially joined the party and received its flag. Rajganj has historically been a Trinamool stronghold, and Swapna Barman’s candidature is expected to generate significant momentum for the party across Jalpaiguri district. A visibly pleased Barman expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, stating, “Rajganj belonged to Trinamool, and it will remain with Trinamool. I wish to work for the athletes of North Bengal in the future.” Her entry signifies a strategic attempt to connect with the grassroots sporting community and leverage her popularity.
Adding another sporting star to its Northern brigade, the Trinamool Congress has fielded former cricketer Shibshankar Pal from the Cooch Behar constituency. This seat had slipped out of the party’s grasp in the previous election. By bringing in a local son and a former pace sensation from Bengal, the ruling party is betting on his connection to the region to reclaim the seat. Shibshankar Pal officially entered politics on Tuesday, marking his foray into a new domain. When asked about the transition to the political field, he drew a parallel to his cricketing career, saying, “I was also new on the cricket field once. My experience grew, and I bowled well. It will be the same in politics. With experience, I will do good work.” On his plans if elected, Pal, often referred to as ‘Maco’ in sporting circles, stated, “I am a man of the field. I want to work for people involved in sports. I will speak to Mamata-di and Abhishek-da about establishing a hostel for athletes in North Bengal.” This highlights a focus on addressing the specific needs of the region’s sporting talent.
The inclusion of former footballer Bidesh Basu also marks a significant move. Basu has prior experience in electoral politics, having previously won from Uluberia on a Trinamool ticket and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. This time, he will be contesting from the Saptagram constituency in Hooghly district. Like his fellow sports figures, Basu also extended his thanks to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Speaking to a local news outlet, he commented, “Trinamool has undertaken a lot of development in the state. There are 96 projects running in the state. I hope we will win this time too.” His statement underscores the party’s emphasis on its developmental agenda.
However, amidst these celebrated entries, one prominent athlete might feel a pang of disappointment. Manoj Tiwary, the former captain of the Bengal cricket team and the incumbent Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, will not be seen on the Trinamool Congress ticket this time. Last year, Tiwary had secured a resounding victory against a heavyweight BJP candidate, Rathin Chakraborty, by a margin of 32,603 votes, marking his entry into the state assembly. Following his win, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had surprised many by including him in her cabinet. This year, however, the ticket for Shibpur has been awarded to Dr. Rana Chatterjee, leaving Tiwary out of the electoral fray. This turn of events highlights the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of candidate selection in politics, even for popular figures with recent electoral success.
This strategic infusion of sports personalities into the political arena by the Trinamool Congress aims to tap into their widespread appeal, connect with younger voters, and highlight the party’s commitment to sports development. The coming weeks will reveal how these athletes fare as they step out of their familiar stadiums and onto the challenging pitch of West Bengal politics.
### Key Takeaways
* The Trinamool Congress is fielding multiple prominent sports personalities in the upcoming West Bengal elections.
* Star athlete Swapna Barman is contesting from Rajganj, and former cricketer Shibshankar Pal from Cooch Behar, both in North Bengal.
* Former footballer Bidesh Basu is set to contest from Saptagram in Hooghly.
* The party aims to leverage the popularity of these athletes to connect with voters and boost its electoral prospects.
* Interestingly, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary, the current Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, has not been given a ticket this year.