Koel Mallick resigns as Rajya Sabha MP, meets Bhupendra Yadav

Popular Tollywood actress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick has officially resigned from her post. While her name remained active on the official website of the Rajya Sabha until Wednesday afternoon, the database was updated on Thursday morning to reflect her exit. The resignation of the high-profile leader, who is the daughter of veteran actor Ranjit Mallick, has sent shockwaves through the state's ruling party.

Shortly after submitting her resignation, Koel Mallick was seen visiting the New Delhi residence of Union Environment Minister and West Bengal BJP's central observer, Bhupendra Yadav. Photographs of their meeting on Motilal Nehru Road quickly surfaced, fueling widespread speculation that she is poised to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the coming days. Sources indicate that her resignation was delayed as she was traveling abroad, which pushed back her timeline for final discussions with the BJP central leadership.

Political analysts view her impending move as a significant blow to the Trinamool Congress, particularly given the clean image and prestige associated with the Mallick family in the Bengali film industry. Her transition mirrors that of three other former TMC Rajya Sabha MPs—Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik—who recently resigned and subsequently contested vacant seats as BJP nominees. Sources suggest that the BJP plans to nominate Mallick for the Rajya Sabha seat left vacant by her own resignation.