From Trinamool Parliament Seat to BJP Nomination: The Quick Political Turn of Koel Mallick

Bengali actor Koel Mallick has been named on the BJP candidate list for the Rajya Sabha, marking her second stint in Parliament in less than six months after previously representing the Trinamool Congress.

Political Shifts

Mallick originally took the oath as a Rajya Sabha MP from the Trinamool Congress on April 6. Less than a month later, the Trinamool Congress lost the West Bengal Assembly elections and the BJP came to power, triggering a wave of defections from the party led by Mamata Banerjee. Mallick resigned as a Rajya Sabha MP on July 16 and subsequently met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi. The BJP has previously sent former Trinamool MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik to the Rajya Sabha after they left the party.

Joining the BJP

Mallick officially joined the BJP on Monday at the party's state headquarters at 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane, inducted by state general secretary Shashi Kisocha. She filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat on Sunday in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state party president Samik Bhattacharya. Speaking to the media, Mallick stated that she was honoured by the great responsibility and praised the development work in Bengal. When asked about cutting ties with the Trinamool, she declined to express anger, citing her background in psychology and wishing her former party members mental well-being. Prior to her initial nomination by the Trinamool in January, party leader Abhishek Banerjee had met her father, veteran actor Ranjit Mallick, at his Kolkata home. Later in September, Chief Minister Adhikari greeted Ranjit Mallick during the centenary celebrations of legendary actor Uttam Kumar.

Context

Floor crossings and party switches by prominent public figures often follow major shifts in state election outcomes, as political loyalties realign with the party now holding power. The Rajya Sabha serves as the Upper House of India's Parliament, where members are elected by state legislative assemblies rather than direct public vote.