Rajarhat New Town has four main contenders: Piyush Kanodia (BJP), Tapash Chatterjee (AITC), Saptarshi Deb (CPI(M)), and Sk Nizamuddin (INC).
Official candidate affidavits have revealed a fascinating contrast in wealth, education, and legal backgrounds.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of who is running to represent one of Bengal’s most modern hubs.
Tapas Chatterjee (AITC): MLA Candidate
A veteran in the local political scene and MLA candidate, 64-year-old Tapash Chatterjee represents the All India Trinamool Congress.
His profile suggests a focus on long-term residency and inherited stability.
- Wealth & Assets: Chatterjee reports total assets of approximately ₹4.42 crore. A significant portion of this wealth is tied to inherited land and commercial property in the Gopalpur area.
- Liabilities: He reports nil liabilities, indicating a debt-free financial status.
- Legal Standing: He stands out as the only candidate with no criminal cases listed in his affidavit, maintaining a clean legal record.
- Education: He is a Commerce Graduate, having earned his degree from Calcutta University in 1981.
Saptarshi Deb (CPI(M)): The Educated Challenger
Representing the Left Front, 38-year-old Saptarshi Deb presents a profile focused on academic credentials and service-oriented income.
- Wealth & Assets: His total assets stand at approximately ₹1.12 crore. Interestingly, Deb reports zero immovable assets (no land or buildings), with his wealth primarily in insurance, mutual funds, and vehicles.
- Liabilities: He reports nil liabilities, making him the second debt-free candidate in the race.
- Legal Standing: He has two pending criminal cases, largely related to political activism and pandemic-related protest regulations.
- Education: Deb is the most highly educated among the contenders, holding a Master of Arts (Post Graduate) degree from Calcutta University.
Piyush Kanodia (BJP): The Businessman with a Complex Profile
At 43, Piyush Kanodia is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s face for the constituency.
A businessman by profession, his disclosures show significant financial standing alongside the most extensive list of legal challenges in the race.
- Wealth & Assets: Kanodia reports the highest total assets among the candidates, worth approximately ₹7 crore. This includes significant commercial holdings in Kolkata.
- Liabilities: He also carries the highest debt, with liabilities totaling roughly ₹4 crore, primarily consisting of bank loans.
- Legal Standing: His affidavit lists 12 criminal cases, including serious charges related to murder (IPC 302), cheating (IPC 420), and criminal breach of trust (IPC 406).
- Education: He completed his 10th standard in 2000 from Calcutta Public School.
Sk Nizamuddin (INC): The Congress Contender
Representing the Indian National Congress, 52-year-old Sk Nizamuddin is a self-employed businessman with a profile that sits between the others in terms of wealth and legal history.
- Wealth & Assets: He reports total assets of approximately ₹37.92 lakh, the most modest valuation among the four candidates. This includes inherited non-agricultural land in Atghara.
- Liabilities: He carries liabilities of approximately ₹9.65 lakh, consisting of car and bank loans.
- Legal Standing: He has three pending criminal cases which include serious charges such as attempt to murder (IPC 307) and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
- Education: He is a Graduate, having earned his B.A. from Maharaja Shrish Chandra College (University of Calcutta) in 1997.
At a Glance: How They Compare
| Feature | Piyush Kanodia (BJP) | Tapash Chatterjee (AITC) | Saptarshi Deb (CPI(M)) | Sk Nizamuddin (INC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 43 | 64 | 38 | 52 |
| Education | 10th Pass | B.Com Graduate | Post Graduate (MA) | B.A. Graduate |
| Total Assets | ~₹7 Crore | ~₹4.42 Crore | ~₹1.12 Crore | ~₹37.92 Lakh |
| Total Liabilities | ~₹4 Crore | Nil | Nil | ~₹9.65 Lakh |
| Criminal Cases | 12 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Profession | Business | Social Work/Politics | Service/Consultancy | Business |
The 2026 election will determine which of these four distinct paths the residents of Rajarhat New Town choose to follow. Subscribe to our free newsletter for more updates of New Town.
