Transgender candidates in West Bengal assembly elections 2016

In every elections – assembly and lok sabha, many candidates contest in election who are totally different from other candidates. In West Bengal assembly elections 2016, two transgender candidates are contesting from two high-profile seats in Kolkata — Bhawanipore and Jadavpur. Both the candidates are from Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party.

Lok Janshakti Party announced their list of 63 candidates for the West Bengal assembly elections 2016 on 26 March which includes two transgender candidates. The candidates are included by party head Ram Vilas Paswan.

Ram Vilas said: “We want the people from transgender community to rise up in life, and represent not only the members of their community, but also the poor and oppressed.”

39-year-old Bobby Halder will contest against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Bhawanipore and Shankari Mandal, 30 will contest from Jadavpur.

Bobby Halder ia a social worker

and is a well-known public figure in her hometown, Joynagar, South-24 Parganas. Bobby has tried to educate the hijdas and transgender people from Joynagar. Bobby’s monthly income is Rs 4000 and she has four daughters to support. Bobby has joined LJP a few months ago.

Both Bobby Halder and Shankari Mandal want to focus on the slums near the railway lines if elected. They also want to work on pavement dwellers.