West Bengal: Second generation of political families takes legacy forward

KOLKATA: Following in the footsteps of their politician parents has not been an easy option. But for some of the “second-generation”, politics seems to be a more fulfilling path than any other career option. While several from the next generation of political families made their poll debut in 2015, the trend is continuing in 2021, too.Faiz Ahmed Khan, son of Trinamool minister Javed Ahmed Khan, who studied business administration in Australia, contested the 2015 KMC elections. Six years down the line, he has made a name for himself, largely credited for solving drinking water scarcity and waterlogging problems in his area to a great extent. He has also taken a lead in a fight against environmental degradation. Faiz, who claims he owes his training to his father, who worked as an MMiC from 2000 to 2005, was also part of a project that converted the roof of a water reservoir into a park for children at Topsia off EM Bypass.Commerce graduate Sana Ahmed has big shoes to fill in. Daughter of former KMC deputy mayor Iqbal Ahmed and niece of Lok Sabha MP Sultan Ahmed, she has taken it upon herself to carry on the family political legacy. Her ‘Badeh Papa’ (Sultan Ahmed) is no more, and her father is unwell. Encouraged by her father, Sana first stepped into politics in 2015 and won the KMC polls. Sana has been involved in several development work, including beautification of Wellesley Park (Gol Talab), laying the foundation of a KMC-run English-medium school and launch of a vocational training centre for women among others. In the next five years, Sana plans to take up several other development projects for the benefit of her voters, including upgrade of an existing health centre in her area.Saurav Basu, who quit his job of a senior marketing executive, has been working largely behind the political scenes since 2018. This year, Basu, Trinamool minister Chandrima Bhattacharya’s son, has made his debut in electoral politics. “My mother’s blessings are with me. But she did not influence me into contesting the polls. I have been a party worker since 2018,” Basu said. Bhattacharya, who campaigned with her son, said, “Most residents in this ward love me like their daughter. I appeal to them to shower the same love on their grandson.”Politics for Sandipan Saha has been rewarding. Saha, an IIMC alumni, plunged into politics in 2015 and won the civic polls from Janbazar, from where the family—his father is Trinamool’s Swarnakamal Saha— had never lost since mid-80s. Sandipan has no regret about leaving a promising IT career as he took a leap into politics. Saha served the KMC as an IT adviser for the past three years. “When I joined the 2015 civic polls, my only identity was my family. But in the past six years I have learnt the nuances of civic administration. I am ready to take forward the political legacy of my father Swarnakamal Saha who has been in electoral politics for more than three decades,” he said.Puja Panja, daughter of Trinamool minister Sashi Panja and granddaughter of the late political veteran, Ajit Panja, has politics in her blood. But according to Sashi, her daughter never thought of joining electoral politics till recently. Puja, who has done her masters in social welfare, is an avid social worker. And like Ajit Panja, she has acquired a special skill in public relations. “She is a bit nervous. But that doesn’t mean she has no experience in politics and social service. She helped me a lot during the peak of Covid and earned love from Shyampukur locals,” Sashi said.