FILE IMAGE: Swapna Barman, the first Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Games gold in 2018, is the Trinamool Congress candidate from Rajganj Assembly seat in State’s Jalpaiguri district. | Photo Credit: AFP

Swapna Barman, an Asian Games gold medalist and a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Assembly polls, has allegedly become victim of post post poll violence.

On Friday, Barman had alleged that a property owned by her, built of corrugated tin and located next to the house she currently resides in, was set on fire by unidentified miscreants. There was no one present inside the property at the time of the fire and therefore, no reports of any injury.

Barman, the first Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Games gold in 2018, is the Trinamool Congress candidate from Rajganj Assembly seat in State’s Jalpaiguri district. She lost to BJP’s Dinesh Sarkar by a margin of 21,477 votes in the 2026 Assembly elections.

“Had I known this, I would have never joined politics. Today my house was set on fire,” Barman wrote on social media on Friday.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also took to social media and alleged that BJP supporters set fire to her house on Friday.

“An athlete who brought glory to the nation is being repaid with violence, intimidation and fear -- simply because she chose to stand with the Trinamool Congress,” Banerjee said

“THIS is the grim reality under @BJP4India’s watch. This the ‘Parivartan’ they promised,” he said, sharing a video on social media,

Ever since the results of 2026 Assembly polls have been released, the Trinamool Congress has been alleging post poll violence on its supporters. The BJP government has denied the claims.

On Friday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari refuted allegations of post-poll violence. The Chief Minister said that he will ensure the safe return of people who fled their homes. However, he added that if any of them were found to be involved in the violence against BJP workers after the 2026 Assembly election, they would land in prison.

On Saturday, Trinamool Congress sent fact finding teams to different districts of the State to ascertain the extent of post poll violence.

Published on May 16, 2026