BJP member & actor Parno Mittra joins Trinamool in presence of Chandrima Bhattacharya

Popular Bengali actress Parno Mittra made a significant political move on Friday by joining the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). The actress, who had been with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2019, was formally inducted into the party at the TMC Bhavan in Kolkata. State Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya handed over the party flag to her, welcoming her into the ruling camp ahead of the crucial 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Parno’s political journey began with the BJP during the 2019 Lok Sabha wave when several Tollywood stars joined the saffron brigade. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP fielded her from the Baranagar constituency. She faced a tough contest against TMC veteran Tapas Roy and was ultimately defeated. Since that loss, Parno had largely distanced herself from active political programs, leading to long-standing rumors about her potential exit from the BJP.

Her decision to join the TMC comes at a time when the ruling party is consolidating its celebrity wing to reach out to younger voters and the urban middle class. By switching sides, Parno follows the footsteps of several other industry colleagues who moved to the TMC after the BJP's 2021 defeat. Political analysts believe her induction is part of the TMC's strategy to strengthen its organizational presence in the North 24 Parganas district, where she previously contested.

Addressing the media after her induction, Parno expressed her desire to work for the people of Bengal under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. She mentioned that the developmental work carried out by the state government inspired her to make this change. With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the addition of a recognized face like Parno Mittra is seen as a tactical win for the TMC in its ongoing battle for cultural and political dominance in the state.