‘Time to rectify my mistake’: Actor Parno Mitra joins TMC
Times of India | 27 December 2025
Kolkata: Actor and former BJP member Parno Mitra joined Trinamool Congress on Friday, months ahead of the Bengal assembly polls, saying, "People make mistakes, as did I. It was time to rectify." State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and party spokesperson Jayprakash Majumdar were present at the event at Trinamool Bhavan.
Mitra joined BJP in 2019 along with a host of others from the Bengal film industry. She contested the 2021 assembly elections from Baranagar on a BJP ticket, losing to Tapas Roy, who later switched to BJP. Mitra's film industry colleague Sayantika Banerjee currently represents Baranagar in the assembly.
Speaking to reporters after completing joining formalities, Mitra struck a candid note about her political journey. "I joined BJP six years ago, but things did not work out the way I thought they would. After all, humans do make mistakes," she said, adding that she was keen on beginning a "new political innings" under the leadership of CM Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Holding the party flag, Mitra chanted the party slogan "Joy Bangla". Asked why she had decided to join Trinamool months ahead of the polls, she said she had gained no experience in BJP and had stopped attending party programmes because she was frustrated with BJP's "communal and divisive" politics.
"There was no mental match with BJP. I didn't grow up like this. I don't believe in communal and divisive politics," she said.
Chandrima Bhattacharya said Mitra, who has acted in over 40 films, had expressed her desire to join Trinamool inspired by Mamata Banerjee's initiatives and governance model. "Alongside acting, she has always been conscious of her responsibility as a citizen. Our neta has consistently spoken about women's empowerment, and under her guidance, we are happy to welcome Parno into the Trinamool family," she added.
Jayprakash Majumdar referred to Mitra's stint in BJP as a "closed chapter".
A familiar face in Bengali cinema, Mitra began her acting career in 2007, first gaining traction with her television serial "Khela".
She made her big-screen debut with Anjan Dutt's Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona and earned critical recognition for films such as Bedroom, Maach Mishti & More, Rajkahini and Apu'r Panchali.