Announcing the move, Chandrima Bhattacharya said Mitra had conveyed her intention to join the ruling party after being influenced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s development initiatives. “She expressed her desire to work for the overall development of Bengal. With the approval of the party leadership, she was inducted today,” Bhattacharya said.
Speaking shortly after joining the TMC, Parno Mitra described her decision as a course correction. “It is true that I entered state politics several years ago. But everyone makes mistakes. The time has come for me to correct mine. Keeping the overall development of Bengal in mind, I have joined the Trinamool Congress,” she said.
Mitra’s defection comes at a politically sensitive time, with parties intensifying preparations for the next round of elections. Her switch has drawn sharp reactions from both the ruling party and the opposition, with leaders and supporters debating the implications of another high-profile defection in the state.
Parno Mitra is a well-known face in Bengali cinema and television. She began her acting career in 2007 and gained early recognition through the popular television serial “Khela,” directed by Ravi Ojha. Her film debut came under director Anjan Dutt, and she rose to prominence with her performance in “Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona.” Over the years, she has appeared in several commercially successful and critically acclaimed films, earning a reputation for strong, character-driven roles.
Her entry into politics came in 2019, when she joined the BJP, marking a shift from the entertainment industry to public life. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, she contested from the Baranagar constituency as a BJP candidate but failed to secure a win. Since then, speculation had persisted about her political future and continued engagement with the party.
TMC leaders believe Mitra’s induction will strengthen the party’s outreach, particularly in Kolkata and neighbouring urban areas, where she enjoys significant public visibility. Party insiders say her presence could help connect with younger voters and sections of the urban middle class.
Within the BJP, Mitra’s exit is being seen as another setback in Bengal, where the party has faced a series of defections since the 2021 Assembly polls. While BJP leaders have yet to issue a detailed response, sources acknowledge that the development has caused unease within the state unit.
Political analysts say Parno Mitra’s move adds a fresh layer to Bengal’s already fluid political landscape. As parties jostle for position ahead of elections, the defection of a recognisable public figure underscores the ongoing battle for influence, visibility and voter confidence in the state.
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