Kanti Ganguly: Left minister, CPM veteran in poll race

As Kanti Ganguly prepares to take on Alok Jaldata of the Trinamool Congress this time in South 24 Parganas’s Raidighi constituency, the stakes are high, with the CPI(M) leader not having won an election in the last 10 years.

CPI(M) veteran Kanti Ganguly

Seventy-eight-year-old Kanti Bhusan Gangopadhyay is among the veterans fielded by the CPI(M) in the upcoming West Bengal elections. He was minister in charge of Sunderbans development in the state’s Left Front government, and was given the portfolio of sports and youth welfare after the death of former minister Subhas Chakraborty in 2009. Ganguly was elected to the state Assembly in 2001 and 2006 from Mathurapur.

As he prepares to take on Alok Jaldata of the Trinamool Congress this time in South 24 Parganas’s Raidighi constituency, the stakes are high, with the CPI(M) leader not having won an election in the last 10 years.

He is banking on his popularity in the area, especially on the work he has done in the Sunderbans during cyclones Amphan and Aila. During the latter in 2009, Ganguly was the only minister to work on the ground with the villagers.

In the last two Assembly elections, Ganguly was defeated by the TMC’s Debashree Roy. In the 2016 polls, he lost by a margin of 1,229 votes from the then newly formed assembly constituency of Raidighi, which falls under the Mathurapur Loksabha Constituency.

The Raidighi contest is expected to be tougher this time. In the previous elections, the BJP’s presence in the region was almost non-existent. The situation has now changed. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, many Left votes were diverted to the BJP.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More