Asian Games gold medalist and TMC candidate Swapna Barman mourns father’s death in Siliguri hospital

A personal tragedy struck Trinamool Congress candidate from Rajganj in Jalpaiguri, Swapna Barman, as her father Panchanan Barman passed away early on Saturday. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Siliguri where he had been undergoing treatment for some time due to prolonged illness.

Panchanan Barman’s death comes at a crucial time for Swapna Barman, who recently entered the political arena and is preparing to contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections from the Rajganj constituency. The Asian Games gold medalist had been balancing her campaign preparations while also staying close to her ailing father during his treatment. Family sources said Swapna had been spending much of her time in Siliguri over the past few days to be by her father’s side. She had also offered prayers seeking his recovery while preparing to begin her campaign tour in the constituency.

However, before she could formally begin her election campaign, the athlete-turned-politician suffered the loss of her father. Panchanan Barman’s passing has cast a shadow over the early phase of her political journey as condolences pour in from supporters and well-wishers.