Popular Bengali actress Koel Mallick officially joins BJP, files nomination for upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections from West Bengal Read more.
Bengali Actress Koel Mallick Joins BJP, Files Nomination for Rajya Sabha By-Polls
In a major political development in West Bengal, popular Bengali film actress Koel Mallick formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. Soon after joining the party at BJP state headquarters, she reached the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to file her nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections. This strategic step by the BJP is seen as a major change in the political scenario of the state.
“It would be a great honor to represent the people in the Upper House of Parliament,” Koel Mallick told the media after her induction into the party. She said this new political journey will give her a bigger platform to work dedicatedly for public welfare and development of the state. Shashi Agnihotri, General Secretary of West Bengal BJP, warmly welcomed her to the party and officially announced her as the party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat.
Koel Mallick is the daughter of veteran Bengali actor Ranjit Mallick and has a huge fan following all over the state of Bengal. It’s been a whirlwind year for her political career. She was earlier nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). But she resigned as a Member of the Upper House following recent political setbacks for the TMC in the assembly elections. Her sudden switch to BJP and immediate nomination as their Rajya Sabha candidate has sparked off wide political discussions across the state.
The Election Commission has announced the poll date for 12 vacant Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on October 16. With the political activities heating up ahead of the polls, the BJP has also announced Dinesh Arya as its official Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttarakhand. Mallick’s nomination has clarified the political equations for the upcoming upper house elections in Bengal, thereby preparing for a keenly awaited electoral battle.