Former Cricketer, Santal Academic, and Islamic Scholar Join Trinamool Congress Ahead of West Bengal Elections

Former Bengal cricketer Shib Shankar Paul, Santal academic Tanushree Hansda, and Islamic scholar Md Mufti Abdul Matin joined the Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Paul runs cricket academies nurturing grassroots talent, Hansda is an experienced professor active in Santali cultural work, and Matin is associated with numerous madrasas across several districts. State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya highlighted the government's focus on sports development and empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes during the ceremony. Elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.