TMC Candidate Swapna Barman Claims Arson Attack on Her Home in Jalpaiguri

Swapna Barman, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate for Rajganj, has alleged that her residence in Jalpaiguri was deliberately set on fire by unidentified miscreants late Friday evening. The incident reportedly took place around 8 PM, but fortunately, no one was present in the house at the time of the fire, as confirmed by local police sources.

Barman, a noted heptathlete who gained fame for winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, has expressed deep concern over the escalating threats she has faced since her recent defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. In a poignant statement shared on social media, she remarked on the severe intimidation faced not only by herself but also by her family. The police have initiated an investigation into the fire to determine whether it was an act of arson and to explore any potential political motives behind the attack.

Reflecting on her political journey, Barman conveyed her disillusionment, stating, “If I had known before that this would happen, I really wouldn’t have come into politics. Today, they even burned down my house.” Her comments reflect a growing sentiment among some political figures in West Bengal, where political violence and intimidation have reportedly surged following the recent electoral defeat of the TMC to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 4, 2023. This election marked a significant shift in power, ending a 15-year reign of the TMC under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Barman joined the TMC in February 2023, hoping to represent her constituency with vigor and dedication. However, she lost to BJP’s Dinesh Sarkar by a staggering margin of over 21,400 votes, in a seat that the TMC had continually held since 2009. The political landscape in West Bengal is increasingly fraught, with reports of violence and communal tensions becoming alarmingly common in the aftermath of the elections.

This incident raises questions about the safety of politicians, especially those who are new to the political arena, and underscores the challenges that confront women in politics. The ongoing investigation will be pivotal in determining the motives behind the attack and whether it reflects a broader trend of political violence in the region.

Source: scroll.in