'People haven't seen soft side of him, will make a great husband': Rinku opens up on love story with BJP’s Dilip Ghosh
Times of India | 20 April 2025
KOLKATA: Former Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Friday began a new chapter in his personal life as he tied the knot with his party colleague, Rinku Majumdar (47), in a modest ceremony at his New Town home. The event grabbed the attention of political circles and the public alike.
A day before he turned 60, Ghosh—known for his fiery speeches and unyielding political stance—completed the wedding ceremony in the presence of close relatives and friends. A grander celebration is expected in Kharagpur, Ghosh's hometown, as confirmed by Rinku and other relatives.
"I have always been a loyal and obedient party worker. But now it is time to fulfil my social and family duties. My mother now lives with me. I felt someone needed to be by her side as she is getting old and I remain busy with work. The person I am marrying knows her responsibilities. She is the one who approached me for marriage. I am looking forward to your blessings," said Ghosh, minutes after the ceremony was completed around 7pm at his Bungalow No. 77. Family members said all traditional rituals, including sindoor daan, mala badal and subhadrishti, were held.
Wishes and congratulatory messages from chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool and BJP functionaries started pouring in since morning. While Banerjee sent a congratulatory letter and a bouquet to Ghosh's home at Ideal Villas in New Town, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar was among the first politicians to visit him, gifting the couple a sari, a dhoti, sweets and flowers. "His mother felt Naru (Ghosh's nickname) needed to be looked after," Sukanta said. BJP's Locket Chatterjee, Shamik Bhattacharya, Rahul Sinha and Mangal Pandey were among others who visited him. Agnimitra Paul and Rudranil Ghosh congratulated him, demanding a "big treat soon". A notable absentee was leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who neither visited Ghosh's home nor made any public remark on the wedding.
Shrugging off controversies over his political career, Ghosh said he was ready for the second innings in politics, too. "Nothing will change. I will stay in politics as ever. The second innings in politics will be even more charismatic. Together, we will bring change in Bengal," Ghosh said.
Ghosh's mother, who used to live with his two brothers at their Kuliana village home in Jhargram, shifted to his New Town home after he lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Ghosh's aides said ever since, he had to return home early as his mother did not keep well. "When he was a pracharak, Dilip da lived at Sangh Nivas. After his mother moved in with him, Dilip da was finding it hard to manage," said an aide. "Rinkudi is very close to masima, and she likes her," said a mahila morcha functionary.
Rinku, a BJP women's wing veteran and a single mother of a 25-year-old son, shared how their bond within the party grew into an unconventional love story that culminated in marriage. "He may look rough and tough from outside. But from within, he is a very soft person. Most people haven't seen that softer side of him. The kind of discipline he maintains in his life and work, I am certain he will make for a great husband," said Rinku as she stepped out of her Sukhobrishti complex, clad in wedding finery. "I to proposed to him. He took three months and discussed it with his mother before saying yes to me."
Rinku's son, Pritam, a techie, told reporters he couldn't attend the wedding for work but he was happy for his mother. "She has spent her life, raising me. I am happy she is settling down with a good person. I fully support her," he said.
Politics naturally crept in as the Trinamool camp congratulated Ghosh as well as sent him barbs. "There may be political and ideological conflict among us, but we congratulate him on his big day. The CM has also extended her best wishes to him," said Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. Durgapur-Asansol MP Kirti Azad, who defeated Ghosh in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, congratulated him by singing ‘Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai'. "Had I got an invitation, I would have surely attended it. Best wishes to the new couple," said Azad.
If anyone was looking for a good omen, it came in the form of a rat snake outside Ghosh's home. A guard and a snake catcher caught and threw it away.