Former Tripura State Rifles Soldier Enters Political Race in Bengal
Synopsis
A retired soldier of the Tripura State Rifles, Tarak Saha, is making his political debut in the West Bengal Assembly elections, contesting from Swarupnagar as a BJP candidate. With a strong commitment to local development, Saha aims to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress and bring change to his constituency.
Key Takeaways
Tarak Saha is a retired jawan entering the political arena.
He is contesting from Swarupnagar as a BJP candidate.
The seat is reserved for the Scheduled Caste community.
He aims to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress .
Election results will be declared on May 4 .
Kolkata/Agartala, March 22 (NationPress) A former soldier from the prestigious Tripura State Rifles (TSR) is making waves in the political landscape by joining the fray for the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.
Tarak Saha, a retired Rifleman (General Duty) of the TSR, is transitioning from a life of discipline and service to the tumultuous realm of politics.
Having voluntarily retired from the TSR in 2019, Saha is contesting for a seat in Swarupnagar, designated for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Swarupnagar, a bastion of the ruling Trinamool Congress, is a significant Legislative Assembly constituency situated in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
In this pivotal election, Saha is set to face off against the CPI(M)-aligned Left Front candidate Biswajit Mondal and the Trinamool Congress representative Bina Mondal, creating a high-stakes triangular contest.
During the previous 2021 Assembly elections, the seat was claimed by Trinamool Congress’ Bina Mandal, who secured victory over the BJP’s Brindaban Sarkar by a noteworthy margin of 34,772 votes.
In a statement to the media, BJP nominee Tarak Saha emphasized, “The party has placed immense trust in me to spearhead the development of Swarupnagar. I am entirely optimistic about my chances of winning and am committed to restoring Swarupnagar's dignity.”
He criticized the lack of significant progress in Swarupnagar over the 15 years of Trinamool rule, labeling the region as one of the most underdeveloped.
“Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a bridge that will benefit our agricultural community. Enhancing railway connectivity will ensure fair prices for our farmers' products. I am confident that Union Minister Shantanu Thakur will assist in expanding railway access in Swarupnagar,” Saha highlighted.
Saha began his journey with the TSR as a Rifleman (General Duty) in 1998, serving in the 6th Battalion. After completing his foundational training, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of TSR at Radha Kishore Nagar in West Tripura district, where he remained until July 2019, when he chose voluntary retirement, as per a senior TSR official’s remarks to IANS.
The elections for the Swarupnagar (SC) seat are scheduled for the second phase on April 29, with results expected to be announced on May 4.
Point of View
Tarak Saha's entry into politics exemplifies a growing trend of military personnel transitioning into political roles. His candidacy reflects the aspirations of many in the SC community for development and change. The outcome in Swarupnagar could signify broader electoral trends in West Bengal, especially in the context of the BJP's strategies.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What seat is Tarak Saha contesting?
He is running for the Swarupnagar seat, which is reserved for the Scheduled Caste community.
Who are his opponents in the elections?
Saha will compete against Biswajit Mondal from the CPI(M)-led Left Front and Bina Mondal from the Trinamool Congress.
What does Tarak Saha aim to achieve?
He aims to improve the development of Swarupnagar and address the grievances of the local community regarding lack of progress.
When will the elections in Swarupnagar take place?
The elections are scheduled for April 29, with results to be announced on May 4.
