Koel Mallick Joins BJP, Files Rajya Sabha Nomination Hours Later In Kolkata

Kolkata experienced a political shift as actor Koel Mallick joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. The actress-turned-politician promptly filed her nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and party state president Samik Bhattacharya at the Assembly’s principal secretary's office.

Chief Minister Adhikari extended his congratulations to Koel, wishing her the best in her new political venture. Earlier in the day, Koel visited the BJP office at Muralidhar Sen Lane, thereby officially aligning herself with the saffron party.

Kolkata resident Koel Mallick, previously known for her acting career, was formerly a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party has selected her as their candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in West Bengal.

Upon being asked about her priorities, Koel expressed feeling overwhelmed by the developmental activities that have taken place in Bengal recently. "My first priority will be serving the people," she said. "I want to work for the common people. It is very easy to read a newspaper and say 'this work is not done'. It is even more challenging to go out on the field and speak on the issues that will benefit them."

Actor-turned-politician Koel Mallick did not address any questions regarding her past association with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) during her interview with the media. Additionally, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's faction MLA Kunal Ghosh again criticized Koel and her family, stating that her family was introduced to politics by Mamata Banerjee and that her participation in Rajya Sabha elections has nothing to do with the TMC's performance or Mamata Banerjee's continued leadership.