Kolkata, 05 October (H.S.): Just hours before filing her nomination for the Rajya Sabha, prominent Bengali actress and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliamentarian Koel Mallick formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday morning.

Addressing the media after taking her party membership, Mallick described her impending entry into the Upper House as a massive responsibility. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to become a member of the Upper House. I have always followed the dharma of public welfare and service. Securing a larger political platform naturally amplifies one's capacity to serve the people, she said. She also extended her special thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior state BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari for officially nominating her.

Praising the grassroots developmental work executed in West Bengal over the past few months, Mallick expressed deep concern over the state's ongoing 'brain drain'. It is deeply saddening to see our youth migrating to other states for employment and settling there after receiving quality education here. If I can intervene in this sector and help retain our local talent, I would consider myself fortunate. My ultimate wish is to see every resident of Bengal prosper and to foster abundant employment opportunities within the state, she asserted.

Mallick’s political transition follows a significant shift in Bengal's political landscape. She had initially taken oath as a TMC parliamentarian in April this year. However, following the TMC's defeat in the state assembly elections on May 4, political equations began to shift rapidly. Mallick subsequently resigned from her TMC-allotted Rajya Sabha seat on July 16. Speculation regarding her defection gained traction after she reportedly met a senior BJP leader in New Delhi shortly after her resignation, culminating in the BJP officially announcing her as its Rajya Sabha candidate from West Bengal on October 4.

When questioned about her former party, Mallick gracefully refrained from making any negative remarks. Both parties have different ideologies, and each tries to work for the people in its own way. For me, humanity is the highest religion. I am proud to join a party where grassroots development has been taking place so effectively over the last few months, she stated.

Furthermore, Mallick maintained strict composure when addressing the social media trolling and memes surrounding her political switch. Drawing on her academic background as a psychology student, she responded, I hold no grudges or anger toward anyone. I personally believe that those who find mental peace by belittling or insulting others do so out of their own internal frustrations. If they were genuinely happy and content in their own lives, they wouldn't derive pleasure from insulting others. I genuinely wish them good mental health. I will not speak ill of anyone; I only seek everyone's blessings so that I can be of service to the nation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh