Bengal Politics
From TMC Rajya Sabha MP to BJP nominee in 6 months: Koel Mallick's stunning political U-turn
Kolkata/IBNS: In a political somersault, Bengali film star Koel Mallick on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), just six months after taking oath as a Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP.
Koel joined the BJP at the party's office in Kolkata ahead of filing her nomination for the Rajya Sabha.
Her name was announced as the BJP's candidate on Sunday, triggering a wave of memes and trolling on social media over her political switch months after the regime change in West Bengal.
Koel Mallick at BJP state office. Photo: BJP Media Unit
Koel cites development, employment
“I am extremely happy, as a resident of West Bengal, to see the kind of developmental work undertaken by the new government. I believe development is the ultimate aspiration for all of us.
“I want people to be happy and have access to employment opportunities. People are becoming frustrated and disillusioned because of the lack of jobs. One of the primary regrets of the previous regime was its handling of education. I want schools to be established so that basic education is accessible to everyone, and not just the privileged,” Koel said while addressing a press conference.
Koel, who was considered close to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, played it safe when asked about her decision to join the TMC, answering the question through the prism of development.
“Every political party has its own approach to development. I feel enormously proud and privileged to have joined the BJP, which has been working towards development over the last few months,” she said.
Koel Mallick taking oath as TMC's Rajya Sabha MP. Photo: Screen-grab/Koel Mallick Instagram
20-year career in Bengali cinema
Koel Mallick is a popular Bengali film actor whose career spans more than 20 years. She has featured in several commercially successful and critically acclaimed films.
The daughter of Bengali film icon Ranjit Mallick, Koel is married to producer Nispal Singh Rane, who runs Surinder Films.
Surprise Rajya Sabha nomination
Koel was announced as the TMC's Rajya Sabha candidate in February 2026.
The 44-year-old actor's nomination came as a surprise after TMC national general secretary and Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee met Ranjit Mallick at his residence.
Koel quit the TMC in July, just two months after the BJP came to power in West Bengal, bringing her brief stint in the Rajya Sabha to an end.
Koel Mallick at Parliament as TMC's Rajya Sabha MP. Photo: Koel Mallick Instagram
Mahua Moitra takes jibe at BJP
Reacting to Koel's nomination as the BJP candidate, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Moitra took a swipe at the BJP leadership in a Facebook post.
“Congratulations — congratulations to the BJP workers. You have sent yet another Trinamool traitor to the Rajya Sabha! Couldn’t you find anyone from your own party?” she wrote.
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