Prasun Banerjee: From Football Captain to Howrah’s Consistent Parliamentary Voice

Shri Prasun Banerjee, a prominent member of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), has been a three-time Lok Sabha MP representing the Howrah constituency since 2014. Before entering politics, he was a celebrated footballer, known for captaining the Indian national football team in the 1970s.

Political Career –

2014 Lok Sabha Election: Prasun Banerjee contested from Howrah as the TMC candidate and won, marking his debut in parliamentary politics.

2019 Lok Sabha Election: He retained his seat in Howrah with a significant margin, defeating his nearest opponent, BJP’s Ratnidev Sengupta.

2019 Election Details –

Vote Share: Prasun Banerjee received approximately 47.6% of the votes.

Victory Margin: He defeated BJP’s Ratnidev Sengupta by over 1,03,000 votes.

2024 Lok Sabha Election: Continuing his streak, Prasun Banerjee won the Howrah seat again, securing a strong mandate.

Background and Contributions – Prasun Banerjee has been active in advocating for sports and youth welfare in his parliamentary role. His transition from sports to politics highlights his focus on public service and development in his constituency, particularly urban infrastructure and welfare schemes for Howrah residents.

Personal information –

Age: Born on April 6, 1955, making him 69 years old.

Political Party: All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).

Educational Qualification: Graduate.

Profession: Social worker.

Enrolled as Voter in: Howrah constituency, West Bengal.

Email: Not publicly available.

Phone Number: +91 9433002044.

Permanent Address: 31, Duplex, North Avenue, New Delhi – 110001.

Source: MyNeta.info

Criminal cases – Shri Prasun Banerjee has a clean record in terms of criminal cases, as per his election affidavit for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. No criminal charges or cases were registered against him. However, in the past, he has been involved in a controversy for allegedly slapping a Kolkata traffic constable in 2013, which drew media attention, though it did not lead to any formal criminal charges.

Assets and Liabilities – As per his affidavit for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prasun Banerjee’s assets and liabilities are detailed as follows:

Movable Assets:

1. Cash: ₹3,000.

2. Bank Deposits: ₹5,87,549 across multiple accounts.

3. Insurance Policies: ₹13,50,000 through two SBI Life Insurance policies.

4. Motor Vehicle: ₹7,29,584 for a Mahindra Quanto.

5. Jewelry: ₹4,90,000 worth of gold ornaments (70 grams).

6. Other Assets: ₹20,00,000 advanced for a flat booking in Kolkata.

Total Movable Assets: ₹51,60,134.

Immovable Assets:

1. Residential Properties:

Sundari Apartment, Kolkata (599 sq. ft.): ₹22,00,000.

Shared property in Sritama Apartment, Kolkata (644 sq. ft., 1/3rd share): ₹7,00,000.

Total Immovable Assets: ₹29,00,000.

Liabilities: Prasun Banerjee declared no liabilities in his affidavit.

Total Assets: ₹1,03,60,134 (approximately ₹1.03 crore).

Source: MyNeta.info

Shri Prasun Banerjee has held the following political positions during his career –

1. Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

Elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in June 2013 during a by-election.

Re-elected to the 16th Lok Sabha in May 2014.

Re-elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in May 2019, representing the Howrah constituency.

2. Committee Memberships in the 17th Lok Sabha

Member, Standing Committee on Railways.

Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

3. Sports Background and Achievements

Before entering politics, Prasun Banerjee was a celebrated footballer and the captain of the Indian football team. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1979-80. His prominence in sports has influenced his work in Parliament, particularly regarding youth and sports initiatives.

Source: PRS India

Performance in Parliament –

Prasun Banerjee has maintained a moderate but active presence in the Lok Sabha, recording an attendance rate of 76%, slightly above the national average of 78% and higher than West Bengal MPs’ state average of 73%. His parliamentary engagement includes participating in 4 debates, primarily on sports-related issues, and raising 79 questions on diverse topics such as tourism, urban development, minority scholarships, and infrastructure projects. However, his record shows no introduction of private member bills, reflecting limited legislative initiatives. This performance highlights a balanced involvement in parliamentary proceedings, with a focus on constituency-related issues. (Source: PRS India)

Prasun Banerjee participated in 4 debates during his tenure in the Lok Sabha, which is below both the national average (4.3 debates per MP) and the West Bengal state average (4.5 debates per MP). Here is a summary of the debates he contributed to:

1. Promotion of Sports in India: He urged the government to allocate more funds and resources to enhance sports infrastructure and training facilities, emphasizing grassroots-level development and youth engagement.

2. Urban Development in Howrah: Banerjee raised concerns about improving urban infrastructure in his constituency, such as roads, drainage, and public amenities.

3. Tourism Development: He highlighted Howrah’s potential for tourism and requested initiatives to preserve heritage sites and create new employment opportunities.

4. Railway Services in Howrah: Banerjee discussed the need for improved railway services in Howrah, a critical transport hub, stressing passenger safety and better amenities.

Prasun Banerjee, during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, actively participated in parliamentary proceedings, asking 79 questions. Some of the most significant and noteworthy questions raised by him include:

1. Implementation of Sports Promotion Schemes: Advocating for improved sports facilities and enhanced funding to boost youth participation.

2. Railway Projects in West Bengal: Questions about the allocation of funds and the status of railway expansion in his constituency.

3. Safety Measures in Railway Operations: Raising concerns about passenger safety and infrastructure improvements.

4. Environmental Protection Initiatives: Queries regarding government measures to tackle pollution in urban areas, including Howrah.

5. Flood Management Systems: Addressing disaster relief and prevention mechanisms in flood-prone regions of Bengal.

Sources: PRS India & the official Lok Sabha website

Prasun Banerjee began his political career as a member of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and was first elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Howrah in a by-election in 2013. He retained his seat in the 16th Lok Sabha (2014) and the 17th Lok Sabha (2019). During his tenure, he has been active in representing issues related to his constituency, Howrah, focusing on transport infrastructure and urban development.

Some highlights of his parliamentary activities include:

1. MPLADS Spending: Prasun Banerjee has utilized funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for projects including road construction, healthcare, sanitation, and education in Howrah. Detailed figures for his MPLADS expenditures are not publicly disclosed in recent reports.

2. Parliamentary Contributions: He raised critical issues, including demands for dredging the Hooghly River, construction of underpasses in Howrah, and the revival of the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden. He also highlighted concerns regarding the East-West Metro Rail project in his constituency.

3. Public Involvement: Known for his connection with the people of Howrah, he has been actively addressing local grievances, particularly in urban development and cultural preservation.

Prasun Banerjee’s MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) spending details for the Howrah constituency are as follows:

Amount Recommended – ₹20.58 crore

Expenditure Incurred – ₹14.56 crore

Unspent Balance – ₹6.02 crore

Utilization Percentage of Amount Released – Approximately 70.8%

These figures indicate moderate utilization, with a focus on projects such as road repairs, sanitation, and community infrastructure improvements.

Source: MPLADS