Mithun Chakraborty Appointed Advisor to West Bengal Information and Culture Department

Actor Mithun Chakraborty has been appointed as an advisor to the Information and Culture Department of the West Bengal government, holding the rank of a minister. The state government issued an official notification regarding this appointment on Wednesday, signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, and his term begins immediately.

Background

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously indicated that Mithun would receive an important role after playing a major part in the BJP's success in the 2026 assembly elections through extensive campaigning and meetings. Adhikari had openly praised Mithun's efforts following the election victory, calling him one of the key masterminds behind the win and noting his tireless work over many months. In return, Mithun had praised Adhikari as a top-tier Chief Minister. Rumors of Mithun taking up a government role had circulated since Adhikari announced on September 4 that the state would officially appoint him as an advisor.

Context

Mithun Chakraborty was associated with the Naxalite movement in the 1960s and 1970s before entering mainstream politics with the Trinamool Congress, which sent him to the Rajya Sabha. He resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat on December 26, 2016, and later joined the BJP on March 7, 2021, ahead of that year's assembly elections.