BJP Workers Anguished Over Trinamool Turncoats Getting Rajya Sabha Nominations, Says Tathagata Roy
A sharp internal rift has surfaced inside the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party over nominations to the Upper House of Parliament. Veteran leader and former state president Tathagata Roy publicly voiced deep anguish on behalf of regular grassroots workers, criticizing the leadership for repeatedly rewarding former Trinamool Congress members with prestigious parliamentary positions. His critical remarks followed the formal entry of actor turned politician Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, into the party fold, followed quickly by her nomination to the Rajya Sabha.
The public criticism erupted shortly after Mallick accepted the primary membership flag at the party Salt Lake office and subsequently filed her official nomination papers at the state legislative assembly. Mallick had entered the Upper House as a Trinamool lawmaker earlier in the year before resigning her seat to switch allegiance. Her sudden induction and immediate reward with a parliamentary ticket triggered deep frustration among senior cadres who have stood by the organization through decades of intense political rivalry.
Expressing his displeasure from overseas, Roy noted that he was speaking strictly as a committed Swayamsevak and a long standing worker who has served the ideological organization for more than thirty-five years under difficult ground conditions. In his public communication, he directly tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and central party office bearers, urging them to recognize how deeply wounded ordinary field workers feel when individuals who opposed them until yesterday are given premier posts.
The veteran politician highlighted that Mallick is not an isolated case, pointing out that multiple former Trinamool lawmakers have recently secured Upper House nominations through similar pathways. He named several prominent figures who crossed over and secured re-election, questioning why newcomers are repeatedly prioritized over lifelong loyalists. Ground level volunteers who faced severe post poll clashes, legal entanglements, and street intimidation feel deeply marginalized when seats in Parliament are distributed to recent defectors.
Roy warned that overlooking the sacrifices and psychological morale of original ground level workers would prove to be a very unwise strategic choice for the central high command. He explained that elections and party machinery are built on the physical dedication of cadres who guard polling booths and face administrative pressure on the streets. When those committed volunteers see prominent leaders from the rival camp walking straight into parliamentary power, their willingness to fight street battles begins to weaken.
Explaining her own political decision, Mallick stated that she was drawn to join the party because of visible developmental momentum and progressive governance across the state. Addressing reporters after filing her nomination forms, she stated that her sole aim in public life is to serve ordinary citizens with honesty. She added that she has never engaged in personal mudslinging during her public career and intends to maintain positive, constructive conduct going forward.
The political opposition reacted sharply to the unfolding development, accusing the defecting leaders of opportunism and political betrayal. Ruling party spokespersons pointed out that the regional leadership had treated the actor family with high respect, noting that her father, veteran cinema figure Ranjit Mallick, had even been honored with civic appointments in earlier years. Opponents claimed that abandoning legislative mandates within a few months of election proves that personal power took precedence over democratic loyalty.
The controversy highlights a growing dilemma within the organization as it balances short term political expansion with ideological consistency. While inducting established public figures and experienced lawmakers helps the party present a broad public profile, it risks alienating the core base of long time workers whose active support is necessary during election campaigns. With upcoming parliamentary voting approaching, the debate over turncoats versus loyalists is bound to create intense discussions across party offices in West Bengal.