Asian Games Gold Medalist Swapna Barman Officially Joins Trinamool Congress

Jalpaiguri Athlete Swapna Barman Joins TMC Ahead of Bengal Assembly Elections

Kolkata, February 27, 2026 — International athlete and Asian Games gold medalist Swapna Barman officially joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) today at the party’s headquarters in Kolkata.

Barman, a prominent figure from the Rajbongshi community in North Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, was formally inducted into the party by state ministers Bratya Basu and Chandrima Bhattacharya. The ministers handed her the official party flag in the presence of Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb.

Speaking to the media after her induction, Barman cited the state’s leadership as her primary motivation for entering politics. “Inspired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s struggles and rise from the grassroots level, I decided to join the party,” Barman stated. She added that she wished to be a part of the development work being carried out in the state.

Welcoming the athlete into the party fold, Minister Bratya Basu drew comparisons to sports films. “I am reminded of the films Chak De! India and Dangal today. While those films were based on fiction, Swapna Barman’s achievements are real. From the Trinamool Congress family, we want to say ‘Chak De Swapna’,” Basu remarked.

Barman’s entry into the ruling TMC comes just months ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Political speculation regarding her political debut began last month. In January 2026, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly felicitated Barman during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Mahakal temple in Siliguri. Following that event, Barman had hinted to the media that the Chief Minister had advised her to work for social welfare, sparking rumors of an imminent political career.

Given her background and popularity, political observers note that her induction is strategically significant for the TMC as it seeks to strengthen its outreach among the Rajbongshi community and voters across the Dooars and broader North Bengal region.

Currently an employee of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Swapna Barman is one of India’s most recognized track and field athletes. She made history by winning the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Prior to that, she secured first place at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships. In recognition of her sporting achievements, she was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2019.