Who is Koel Mallick, fielded as RS candidate by BJP from WB 2 months after TMC exit?

Actor-turned-politician Rukmini Mallick, aka Koel Mallick, has been fielded by BJP as a Rajya Sabha candidate from West Bengal, months after resigning as a TMC MP. Mallick, who holds a B.Sc. degree, entered politics after Mamata Banerjee nominated her as a TMC Rajya Sabha candidate. She was sworn in as an MP in April 2026 but resigned on July 16.