Agartala, March 22: In a rare crossover between Tripura’s security apparatus and West Bengal’s high-stakes electoral politics, a former soldier of the elite Tripura State Rifles (TSR) is now trading his fatigues for the saffron scarf of the BJP. Tarak Saha, a veteran who spent over two decades guarding the frontiers of Tripura, has emerged as a key challenger in the Swarupnagar (SC) constituency for the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.
A Shift from Security to Politics
Saha, who joined the 6th Battalion of the TSR in 1998, was a familiar face at the 2nd Battalion headquarters in Radha Kishore Nagar, West Tripura. After opting for voluntary retirement in July 2019, the former Rifleman (General Duty) pivoted toward grassroots activism.
After taking voluntary retirement from the TSR in 2019, Saha is now contesting from Swarupnagar, a Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency, as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Swarupnagar, located in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is considered a strong base of the ruling Trinamool Congress and holds strategic importance in the state’s electoral map.
In the upcoming contest, Saha will face Biswajit Mondal of the Left Front and Bina Mondal, making it a keen three-cornered fight.
During the 2021 Assembly elections, Bina Mondal of the Trinamool Congress secured victory in Swarupnagar by defeating BJP candidate Brindaban Sarkar with a margin of 34,772 votes in a multi-cornered contest.
Saha Hits the Campaign Trail
Speaking from the campaign trail, Saha said the party has given him a major responsibility to ensure the development of Swarupnagar. He added that he aims to justify the trust placed in him and expressed strong confidence about winning the election and bringing change to the constituency.
Saha criticized the 15-year tenure of the Trinamool Congress in Swarupnagar, claiming the region remains stagnant despite its agricultural potential.
Infrastructure Focus: Saha is leaning heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent bridge inauguration and the promise of railway expansion.
Strategic Support: He expressed confidence that Union Minister Shantanu Thakur would champion railway projects to link this border-adjacent constituency more effectively to Kolkata.
Election Timeline
The battle for Swarupnagar (SC) is set for April 29 during the second phase of polling. The results, which will determine if a soldier from Tripura can breach a TMC fortress, will be declared on May 4. ( With IANS Inputs)