Prominent Bengali actor and former parliamentarian Rukmini Mallick, widely recognized as Koel Mallick, has officially entered the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata. The development follows the party's Sunday announcement naming her as its official candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in West Bengal, setting the stage for her return to parliamentary politics.
Praising Regional Development and Pledging Public Service
Speaking after her formal induction, Koel Mallick stated that joining the party is an honour and expressed deep pride in the progress achieved across the state over recent months. The daughter of veteran Bengali actor Ranjit Mallick emphasized that she understands how to serve society, noting that humanity remains the highest duty. Her statements reflected a clear focus on grassroots engagement and governance.
Filing the Rajya Sabha Nomination at the Assembly
Welcoming the actor into the organisation, BJP West Bengal state general secretary Shashi Agnihotri confirmed that she would be submitting her papers for the parliamentary seat on Monday. Shortly after the formal reception, Koel Mallick arrived at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and submitted her nomination documents. Addressing a press conference at the state party headquarters, she noted,
"It would be an honour for me to become a member of the Upper House of Parliament and get an opportunity to work for people's welfare."
Previous Parliamentary Stint with the Trinamool Congress
This candidacy marks a significant turning point following her earlier tenure representing the Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha. Her prior term as an Upper House parliamentarian was brief, lasting from 6 April until 16 July. She chose to resign from her post following the Mamata Banerjee-led party's disappointing performance in the assembly polls. Now backed by the BJP, she is positioned to re-enter central legislative affairs.
Twelve Rajya Sabha Seats Across Three States Face Polls on 16 October
Elections for a total of 12 Rajya Sabha seats spanning Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal are scheduled to take place on 16 October. The BJP holds a decisive majority inside the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, providing a comfortable numerical advantage for the bypoll. With BJP administrations firmly in power across UP, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, the party has begun declaring candidates across the remaining vacancies with minimal electoral hurdles expected.
