Koel Mallick Joins BJP A Day After Rajya Sabha Nomination, Says She Is ‘Blessed And Delighted’

New Delhi: Popular Bengali film actress and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Rukmini Mallick, known as Koel Mallick in the film industry, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. She took membership of the party at the state headquarters of BJP in Kolkata. The special thing is that a day before, BJP had declared him as its candidate for the by-election for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat of West Bengal. 

What did Koel Mallick say after joining BJP?

After joining BJP, Koyal Mallick said that she feels honored and fortunate to be a part of the party. She also mentioned the developments taking place in the state during the last few months. Koyal said that she knows how to serve people and for her humanity is the biggest religion.

She also said that it would be an honor for him if he gets a chance to work in the Upper House of Parliament. She said that she wanted to work for the welfare of the people. 

When did she get the Rajya Sabha ticket?

Even before Koel Mallick joined the BJP, the party on Sunday had declared her a candidate for the by-election for the only vacant Rajya Sabha seat of West Bengal. Her name was approved by the BJP Central Election Committee. Party's West Bengal general secretary Shashi Agnihotri said that Koyal will file her nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-election on Monday. 

রাজ্য বিজেপি প্রধান কার্যালয়, ৬ মুরলিধর সেন লেনে সাংবাদিকদের মুখোমুখি রাজ্য সাধারণ সম্পাদিকা শ্রীমতি @shashikisoch https://t.co/ga8ZNHHR6t

— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) October 5, 2026

How did Koel reach Rajya Sabha from TMC?

Koel Mallick was sent to Rajya Sabha by Trinamool Congress in April 2026. However, her tenure did not last long and she resigned from the membership of Rajya Sabha on 16 July. Rukmini Mallick's name is also mentioned as a Rajya Sabha candidate in the official election documents. Now after a few months, his political journey is once again in the news. This time she is contesting as a BJP candidate for the same Rajya Sabha seat, which became vacant after her resignation.

When will the elections be held?

The by-election for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat of West Bengal is to be held on October 16. On the same day, elections will also be held for 10 Rajya Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh and one Rajya Sabha seat of Uttarakhand. According to the election schedule, the last date for nomination is October 6, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 7. Candidates can withdraw their names till 9th ​​October. Voting will take place from 9 am to 4 pm and counting of votes will also be done on the same day. 

Will it be easy for BJP to win the seat?

Considering the strong position of BJP in the West Bengal Assembly, the party is hopeful of winning this Rajya Sabha seat. However, the final result in the Rajya Sabha elections depends on the number of parties in the assembly and the voting of MLAs. After the name of Koel Mallick came to the fore from BJP, now both his contest and electoral mathematics have become a topic of discussion in the politics of West Bengal.