TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, aligned with the Mamata Banerjee camp, on Sunday accused actor-turned-politician and former party MP Koel Mallick of "betrayal" after the BJP named her as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll. The by-election was necessitated by Mallick's resignation as a TMC MP from the Upper House of Parliament in July after the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ousted from power in West Bengal.

The bypoll will be held on October 16, and Mallick's re-election to the Rajya Sabha seems to be certain as the BJP has a clear majority in the 294-member state assembly. Ghosh described her move as a "betrayal" and questioned Banerjee's earlier decision to consider Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, for a Rajya Sabha seat.

ALSO READ: Ritabrata Banerjee Camp Says Ready To Join INDIA Bloc If Congress Removes Mamata Banerjee From Oppn Alliance

"Koel Mallick is a renowned actor. Mamata Banerjee had chosen her to send to the Rajya Sabha. When Mamata Banerjee was chief minister, you (Koel Mallick) liked the TMC. Now she is no longer the chief minister; you joined the BJP. It is betrayal," he said. Ghosh said Banerjee's approach had been to give people from different sections of society an opportunity to serve as elected representatives, pointing out that the Trinamool Congress had nominated doctors, sportspersons, singers and film personalities for elections.

"Mamata Banerjee's approach was based on goodwill and the idea of bringing prominent people from society into politics and giving them opportunities to represent people in the state assembly, Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha," the TMC MLA said.

ALSO READ: TMC Symbol Row: Supreme Court Fixes 4 Months For EC To Decide Dispute Between Mamata, Ritabrata Factions

He added that the actions of some individuals had made the party rethink such an approach. The BJP, however, defended Mallick's candidature.

"No corruption complaint was filed against Koel Mallick. There is nothing wrong if she gets a BJP ticket," party MP Rahul Sinha said. State Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul also welcomed the development, saying, "I hope she will speak for the people of Bengal and give her full time in the Rajya Sabha."

Mallick's quit followed the stepping down of Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Deb and Prakash Chik Baraik in the wake of the TMC's poll debacle in Bengal and the subsequent widespread rebellion in its ranks. The last three MPs later jumped ship to the BJP and were re-elected as its nominees to the Upper House.

(Note: Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Daily Jagran staff. Credit: PTI)