In a development in West Bengal politics, Bengali actress Parno Mitra, who entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, joined the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday, triggering fresh political buzz ahead of the upcoming electoral battles in the state.
Parno was formally inducted into the TMC at the party headquarters, Trinamool Bhavan, in the presence of state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and TMC state vice-president Jayprakash Majumdar. Announcing her induction, Bhattacharya said Parno had expressed her desire to join the ruling party after being impressed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s development initiatives. “With the consent of the party leadership, she has joined the TMC today,” she said.
Speaking after joining the party, Parno acknowledged her political journey and hinted at regret over past decisions. “It is true that I entered state politics several years ago. However, everyone makes mistakes. This is the time to correct those mistakes. I have joined the Trinamool Congress in the interest of the overall development of Bengal,” she said.
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, Mitra contested as a BJP candidate from the Baranagar constituency but failed to secure a victory.
Parno’s move is being seen as a jolt to the BJP in the state, which has already witnessed the departure of several leaders to the ruling party in recent years.
Parno began her acting career in 2007 and first gained widespread recognition through Ravi Ojha’s popular television serial Khela. She made her silver-screen debut under the direction of Anjan Dutt and went on to gain prominence as the lead actress in Ranjana Ami Aar Asab Na film. Over the years, she has featured in several commercially successful Bengali films. Known for her selective choice of roles, Parno has carved out a distinct space for herself in the Bengali film industry.
The TMC sees Parno’s induction as a strategic gain. Party leaders believe that her popularity as a cultural figure will help strengthen the party’s appeal, particularly in Kolkata and its adjoining urban areas.
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