Birbhum politics is witnessing a massive shift as Kajal Sheikh, the current Sabhadhipati of Birbhum Zilla Parishad, enters the electoral fray for the first time. Known for his long-standing rivalry with TMC heavyweight Anubrata Mondal, Kajal has been fielded by Mamata Banerjee from the crucial Hansan Assembly constituency.

According to his election affidavit, Kajal Sheikh reported an annual income of ₹8,31,294 for the financial year 2024-25. His movable assets stand at ₹54.11 lakh, while his immovable assets, including farmland, ponds, and residential property, are valued at approximately ₹1.53 crore. His wife, Nahida Khatun, also holds substantial assets worth over ₹1.2 crore.

Despite his local influence, Kajal’s journey to the Assembly won’t be easy. The political equations in Hansan are heavily influenced by Anubrata Mondal, who remains a dominant force after returning from jail. Furthermore, Kajal has disclosed six pending criminal cases against him. He faces a tough three-way contest against BJP’s Nikhil Bandyopadhyay and CPI(M)’s Kamal Hasan.