Koel Mallick Joins BJP: Former TMC MP Contests Rajya Sabha Seat in West Bengal
Actress Koel Mallick has joined the BJP and filed her nomination for the October 16 Rajya Sabha elections in West Bengal, contesting for the same seat she vacated after leaving TMC.
07 Oct 2026, 21:29 UTC
Political Shift: Koel Mallick Moves from TMC to BJP
Bengali actress and former Member of Parliament कोयल मल्लिक has officially joined the भारतीय जनता पार्टी (BJP), sparking significant political discussion in West Bengal. Following her formal induction into the party, Mallick filed her nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 16, 2026.
This move is particularly notable because Mallick is contesting for the same Rajya Sabha seat she previously vacated. She had served as a Rajya Sabha MP representing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for a brief period from April 6 to July 16, 2026, before resigning from the party.
The 'Revolving Door' Candidacy
The nature of Mallick's candidacy has drawn attention due to the rapid transition between opposing political camps. When questioned about whether she would have switched parties if the government in West Bengal had not changed, Mallick declined to give a direct answer, stating, these answers are saved for another day [Source 2].
Defending her decision to join the BJP, Mallick noted that every political party has its own way of working for the people, and expressed pride in joining a party that she claims has performed welfare work for the people of West Bengal in recent months [Source 2].
Broader Migration Trends in West Bengal
Koel Mallick is not the first high-profile figure to migrate from the TMC to the BJP in the region. Her shift follows a pattern of migrations involving other political figures such as Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Deb, and Prakash Chik Baraik. These shifts have impacted the TMC's strength in the upper house; reports indicate the TMC's membership in the Rajya Sabha has decreased from 13 to 9 members [Source 2].
Election Context and Outlook
The Rajya Sabha elections on October 16, 2026, will fill vacancies across West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. In West Bengal, the BJP currently holds a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly, which provides strong support for Mallick's candidacy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Candidate | Koel Mallick (daughter of actor Ranjit Mallick) |
| Previous Party | Trinamool Congress (TMC) |
| Current Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Previous Tenure | April 6 – July 16, 2026 |
| Election Date | October 16, 2026 |
Sources & further reading
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