Kolkata: Bengali actor and former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, a day after the party named her as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll in West Bengal. Mallick, whose full name is Rukmini Mallick, joined the BJP at the party's state headquarters in Salt Lake on Monday. She is scheduled to file her nomination papers for the Upper House seat that she had earlier vacated.
Koel Mallick Joins BJP Ahead of Rajya Sabha Bypoll
BJP West Bengal general secretary Shashi Agnihotri handed the party flag to Mallick during the joining ceremony. BJP media department functionaries Anupam Ghosh and Chandrashekhar Basotia were also present. BJP had announced Mallick as its candidate for the West Bengal Rajya Sabha bypoll on Sunday. The election for the vacant seat is scheduled for October 16.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Mallick said she wanted to contribute to West Bengal's development and expressed gratitude to the party leadership for giving her the opportunity to contest for the Upper House. She also indicated that she did not intend to make adverse remarks against her former party, the Trinamool Congress.
From TMC Rajya Sabha MP to BJP Candidate
Mallick's political journey has taken a sharp turn within months. She was nominated by the Trinamool Congress for the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and took oath as a member of the Upper House on April 6. Her tenure however, was brief. Mallick resigned from the Rajya Sabha on July 16, leaving the seat vacant. Her resignation was followed by speculation about her next political move, particularly after her meeting with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav soon after stepping down. BJP's announcement has now confirmed that speculation, with Mallick returning to the Rajya Sabha contest as the party's candidate from the same seat.
October 16 Bypoll to Decide Vacant Seat
The Rajya Sabha bypoll in West Bengal is scheduled for October 16, 2026. Mallick's nomination comes after her resignation from the Upper House earlier this year. BJP has also named Dinesh Arya as its candidate from Uttarakhand for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
Mallick's move has also drawn a political response from the Trinamool Congress. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh criticized her decision to switch sides after previously entering the Rajya Sabha as a TMC nominee. His comments were directed at the political switch and its timing.
Koel Mallick Keeps Focus on Bengal Development
After joining the BJP, Mallick kept her public remarks focused on development rather than attacking her former party. Her transition from the Bengali film industry to active politics began earlier this year when she entered the Rajya Sabha as a TMC nominee. Within months, she resigned from the Upper House and has now joined BJP. With her nomination for the October 16 bypoll, Mallick is seeking a return to Parliament this time as a BJP candidate from West Bengal.