Kolkata: A prominent Rajbanshi face from Jalpaiguri and Asian Games gold-winning heptathlete Swapna Barman joined Trinamool on Friday, ahead of the Bengal assembly elections, amid speculation that singer and reality show star Aneek Dhar may also join the party. The singer posted his photo with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and praised his “determination and dedication”.“I am inspired every moment by the leadership of Mamata Banerjee,” Barman said after taking the party flag from state ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Bratya Basu, and Goutam Deb, mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, at Trinamool Bhavan in Kolkata.“The way Mamata Banerjee rose from the grassroots and elevated Bengal to its present stature is something rarely possible elsewhere. The way she works for the people is unparalleled. I wanted to be a part of her development efforts. I was motivated by the various schemes and initiatives she implemented for the people of Bengal. I feel that this will be a big platform for me to work for the people, and this is why I decided to join the party,” the 29-year-old Barman added.Born in Jalpaiguri’s Ghoshpara village, Barman won heptathlon gold at the Asian Games in 2018 and stood first at the Asian Athletics Championship in 2017. She also received the Arjuna Award in 2019. After her Asian Games feat, Barman had said that she was considering not returning to the athletics track due to a back injury. She is currently an employee of the North East Frontier Railway.There were rumours for a long time that Barman would enter the political arena, with early hints that she might join the BJP. In Jan, Mamata honoured the Arjuna Award-winning international athlete at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Mahakal Temple in Siliguri. This sparked fresh speculation that she might join the TMC, and it fructified on Friday.Bhattacharya harped on Barman’s grit, rising from a small village and leaving her mark in the international arena as a Rajbanshi. “Swapna has made the country proud on the international stage. Her journey from Ghoshpara near Jalpaiguri to becoming an international sporting champion is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Bengal’s youth,” she said.“Born into a Rajbanshi family facing economic hardships, she rose above every obstacle through sheer determination and hard work to conquer the Asian Games stage and make India proud. As a woman, I would like to thank and congratulate her for choosing the right party, Trinamool,” Bhattacharya added.The fresh joining of a celebrated Rajbanshi face shows TMC’s focus on north Bengal this time. Just a week ago, Kurseong BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma, another prominent Rajbanshi face, joined the party. Sharma took the TMC flag from ministers Bratya Basu and Shashi Panja on Feb 19.Meanwhile, speculation about singer Dhar — who rose to fame through reality shows and is now a popular playback singer and composer — started after he posted a picture of him alongside Abhishek Banerjee, describing him as a “dynamic” leader.Dhar also wrote that Abhishek was a determined leader. “Dynamic. Determined. Dedicated to Bengal’s pride and progress. A true son of Bengal leading with courage & serving with heart. May you keep on inspiring the youth like you’ve been doing throughout. Great meeting you Abhishek da,” he posted.Dhar’s announcement was similar to how actor Parno Mittra came to the TMC fold after contesting the 2021 assembly elections on a BJP ticket, a party insider said.
