BJP nominates former TMC MP and Bengali film star Koel Mallick for Rajya Sabha seat

Koel Mallick, a well-known figure in Bengali cinema and daughter of veteran actor Ranjit Mallick, was appointed by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and took oath on April 6. She resigned on July 16 without attending any parliamentary session, citing the TMC’s recent electoral setbacks. The Election Commission scheduled a by-election for her vacated seat on October 16, coinciding with the Durga Puja festival, with nominations due by October 6 and withdrawals allowed until October 9. The Bharatiya Janata Party has now announced Mallick as its candidate for the contest, underscoring a rapid political realignment for the actress-turned-politician.