Swapna Barman Secures Crucial NOC from Railways After Legal Intervention
In a significant development for her political aspirations, Swapna Barman, the Trinamool Congress candidate from the Rajganj Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district, has finally received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Indian Railways. This crucial clearance came on Tuesday, following directives from the Calcutta High Court which had asked the Railways to clarify its position regarding her resignation.
Emotional Relief After Period of Uncertainty
The Arjuna Award-winning heptathlete expressed profound relief at the resolution of what had been a particularly stressful period. "I recently lost my father, and dealing with that grief alongside the uncertainty over my NOC was very stressful," Barman revealed. "But I was reassured by our party's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, who told me not to worry and to focus on campaigning. Today, I feel extremely relieved after receiving the NOC. I am hopeful that the people will support and bless me in the upcoming Assembly elections."
From Sports Arena to Political Battleground
Barman's transition from celebrated athlete to political candidate represents a remarkable career shift. The former Asian Games representative joined the Trinamool Congress just last month, marking her formal entry into active politics. However, this move immediately triggered administrative complications with her employer, Indian Railways, where she served as a government employee.
Shortly after her political affiliation became public, the Railways initiated departmental proceedings against her on March 9. The action cited violations of service rules pertaining to government employees participating in political activities while in service.
Legal Battle Over Resignation Acceptance
In response to the departmental proceedings, Barman formally submitted her resignation on March 16. However, the Railways did not immediately accept her resignation. Instead, she received a notice claiming she had failed to adequately respond to the ongoing departmental proceedings.
This administrative impasse forced Barman to seek legal recourse. She approached the circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court, petitioning for judicial intervention to direct the Railways to accept her resignation. The legal move was strategically aimed at removing administrative obstacles that could have prevented her from contesting the upcoming Assembly elections.
Court Intervention Paves Way for Clearance
The Calcutta High Court's intervention proved decisive in resolving the standoff. The court directed the Railways to clarify its position regarding Barman's resignation, ultimately leading to the issuance of the crucial NOC. This certificate effectively removes the last administrative hurdle in her path to contesting the elections.
With the NOC now in hand, Barman is scheduled to file her nomination papers on April 5, formally entering the electoral fray for the Rajganj Assembly constituency. The development marks the culmination of a challenging transition period for the athlete-turned-politician as she prepares to test her popularity in the political arena.
