TMC MP In April, Resigned In July, BJP Candidate In October: Bengali Film Actor Koyel Mallick’s Political Turn

Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, who was a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP just months ago, joined the BJP on Monday and filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from West Bengal on the same day, marking a dramatic shift in her short political career.

Mallick, whose real name is Rukmini Mallick, joined the BJP at its West Bengal headquarters in Kolkata, a day after the party named her as its candidate for the October 16 bypoll. Hours later, she reached the West Bengal Assembly and submitted her nomination papers. She was accompanied by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and other senior leaders.

The development comes less than three months after Mallick resigned from the very Rajya Sabha seat she is now seeking to return to. The TMC had nominated her earlier this year along with former police chief Rajeev Kumar, singer-politician Babul Supriyo and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy. She took oath as a TMC MP on April 6, but resigned on July 16, following the party's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. She did not attend a Rajya Sabha sitting during her brief tenure.

Since Mallick had already resigned as an MP before joining the BJP, the Anti-Defection Law does not apply to her party switch as a sitting parliamentarian. She is now contesting the vacancy afresh as a BJP candidate.

Before entering Parliament, Mallick had campaigned for the TMC during the Assembly election, taking part in party programmes and roadshows. Her selection reflected the party's outreach to well-known public figures, with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee having visited the Mallick residence during the election build-up.

Her resignation was followed by a meeting with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, fuelling speculation about a possible BJP switch. The BJP subsequently nominated her for the vacant seat, following a similar path taken by former TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik, who also moved to the BJP and returned to the Upper House.

After joining the BJP, Mallick said she wanted to work for Bengal's development, particularly jobs, investment, education and opportunities for young people. She also spoke about helping less-privileged sections and contributing to the film industry.

The daughter of veteran Bengali actor Ranjit Mallick, Koyel has been a prominent figure in Bengali cinema for more than two decades. The TMC-led West Bengal government honoured her with the Mahanayak Samman in 2023.

TMC leaders have criticised her switch, with spokesperson Kunal Ghosh saying Mamata Banerjee had given both Koyel and her father recognition in public life. Mallick, however, said she did not want to speak negatively about her former party or anyone associated with it.