Getting a ticket to contest an assembly election at 25 is a feat in itself, because that’s the lowest age at which one is eligible to do so. And, with no political backing in the family, Shatarup Ghosh has achieved precisely that by getting CPI(M) nomination to fight in a constituency in south Kolkata.
Ghosh passed his higher secondary exam in 2005 from South Point High School, a famous institution noted for its conservative attitude towards politics. Thereafter, he moved to Ashutosh College and did his graduation in economics. He is now pursuing his master’s degree in the same subject at Rabindra Bharati University, an institute housed in the Kolkata residence of Rabindranath Tagore.
“Since I am studying economics, my parents thought I might opt for a career in the corporate sector. Never did they imagine that I would be seeking votes for the assembly polls,” said Ghosh, whose father retired from Steel Authority of India Ltd.
“Before walking into the classroom, I walked into the union room on the very first day in college and since then the bond with the CPI(M) was forged. From the union room to the SFI state secretariat and now a candidate for the assembly elections – there has been no looking back for me. Voicing the demand of the youth has always kept me going,” Ghosh added.
A few weeks ago, the Students’ Federation of India, the students’ wing of the CPI(M), won the union election at Ashutosh College routing Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, an event that’s out of step with the current trends in West Bengal.
“The college union elections have shown that the youth of Bengal is with the Left,” he said.
Among people who have inspired him are poet Sukanta Bhattacharya (uncle of CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee), novelist Manik Bandyopadhyay, and Russian writer Maxim Gorky, a friend of Lenin.
A few weeks ago, the Students’ Federation of India, the students’ wing of the CPI(M), won the union election at Ashutosh College routing Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, an event that’s out of step with the current trends in West Bengal.
“The college union elections have shown that the youth of Bengal is with the Left,” he said.
Among people who have inspired him are poet Sukanta Bhattacharya (uncle of CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee), novelist Manik Bandyopadhyay, and Russian writer Maxim Gorky, a friend of Lenin.
Paheli Saha, a close friend of the candidate and a former student leader of the college, said: “He is a well read guy and we keep on learning from him. He will make a good leader with his educational background.”