Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman joins TMC and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
With an eye on the 2026 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified its focus on North Bengal, inducting prominent faces from the region into the party fold. On Friday, Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman formally joined the TMC. After taking up the party flag, she said she had long been inspired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“I have been inspired by Mamata Banerjee from the beginning,” Swapna said, adding that the Chief Minister’s journey from grassroots politics to leading the state had motivated her. She also cited the various development projects implemented by the state government as a reason behind her decision. According to the athlete, joining the party would provide her with a bigger platform to work for the people and serve society.
Swapna joined the party in the presence of state ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Bratya Basu, along with Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb.
Swapna had won gold in the heptathlon at the 2018 Asian Games and was later conferred the Arjuna Award for her achievements. She subsequently stepped away from competitive athletics due to persistent back pain. Currently, she is employed with the North East Frontier Railway.
Her induction comes days after Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma joined the TMC. He formally switched sides in the presence of ministers Bratya Basu and Shashi Panja.
Prasad had won the 2021 Assembly election from Kurseong as an independent candidate, defeating Tshering Lama Dahal of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Tamang faction) by over 15,000 votes. He later joined the BJP and had been associated with the party in the Assembly.
Speculation about his political future had intensified during the recent Assembly session when he remarked that he was “no longer involved in politics” and described himself as a ‘free bird, free from chains’. His eventual move to the TMC has now put an end to those rumours.
Political observers view the back-to-back inductions as part of the TMC’s broader strategy to strengthen its base in North Bengal ahead of the high stakes 2026 polls.