Bengali actress Parno Mittra joins Trinamool Congress, says her BJP tenure was a ‘mistake’
Mittra had joined the BJP six years ago and contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Baranagar on a BJP ticket, a decision she referred to as a ‘mistake’ on Friday.
Bengali film actress Parno Mittra on Friday joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the presence of party leader and state Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and TMC leader Jayprakash Majumder.
Mittra had joined the BJP six years ago and contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Baranagar on a BJP ticket, a decision she referred to as a “mistake” on Friday. She lost the election and was not active in politics thereafter.
While joining the TMC, Mittra did not comment on whether she would seek a ticket in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking at the joining programme, Mittra said, “Today is like Christmas for me. My new journey begins with the guidance and blessings of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. I will move forward with Didi under the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee.” Explaining her decision to leave the BJP, she added, “I joined six years ago, but it did not work out. People make mistakes, and correcting those mistakes is important. I feel blessed that I could correct that mistake.”
Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “Parno herself contacted us. After seeing the development of the state under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, she expressed her desire to be part of that journey. We welcome her to the Trinamool Congress.”
Reacting to Mittra’s move, BJP leader and actor Rudranil Ghosh said, “Parno is my colleague in the acting world. After contesting the last Assembly elections on a BJP ticket, she was not seen to be politically active. Her joining the Trinamool will not benefit them, and it will not cause any harm to the BJP either.”
Parno Mittra began her acting career in 2007 with the television serial Khela and made her film debut with Anjan Dutt’s Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na, which brought her overnight popularity.
Several Tollywood personalities, including Dev, Soham Chakraborty, Raj Chakraborty and June Malia, are currently active in the TMC. A senior party leader said more actors and film personalities were expected to join the party ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
