Swapan Dasgupta claims to be former editor of 6 publications
The Statesman | 28 March 2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Rashbehari, Swapan Dasgupta, entered into a wordy duel with some residents of the area after he distributed a pamphlet claiming to be the former editor of six publications.
During a door-to-door campaign in Ward 89 yesterday, Mr Dasgupta distributed a pamphlet claiming to be the former editor of six publications.
He claimed that he was the editor of The Statesman, The Telegraph, Times of India, India Today and Indian Express.
Some residents challenged him that he was never the editor of The Statesman and The Telegraph. He said he become the editor of The Statesman after Sunanda K Datta-Ray. The fact is he had joined The Statesman in early 1980s when Mr Datta-Ray was the editor. He had worked in The Telegraph in the early 1990s when Shekhar Bhatia was the editor. He left The Telegraph after the Babri mosque was pulled down on 6, December, 1992.
Mr Dasgupta’s city connection is remote. His grandfather was one of the founders of Calcutta Chemical. After schooling he went to Delhi for graduation and went abroad from there. The company went into liquidation and a massive housing complex comprising several high rise towers has come up in its place on Panditiya Road. Mr Dasgupta had contested in 2021 and was defeated handsomely.