In the 2006, 2001 and 1996 state assembly elections, Khagendranath Mahata of CPI(M) won the Salboni assembly seat defeating his nearest rivals, Uttara Singha (Hazra) of Trinamool Congress in 2006, Dinen Roy of Trinamool Congress in 2001, and Tapas Das of Jharkhand Party (Naren) in 1996. Contests in most years were multi cornered but only winners and runners are being mentioned. Sundar Hazra of CPI(M) defeated Bijoy Mahata of Janata Party in 1991, Basanti Mahata of Congress in 1987, Kali Sadhan Mahata of Congress in 1982, and Basanti Mahata of Congress in 1977.[5]