Mithun joins BJP at Modi rally in Kolkata
I won’t run away, says Bollywood actor after being formally inducted into party
Mithun Chakraborty, Bollywood actor and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) member of parliament from the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a massive public rally in Kolkata yesterday, which was addressed by Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi. Mithun welcomed Modi, offering him the party’s saffron sash, upon the prime minister’s arrival on the podium.
West Bengal will be having an eight-phase election to its state assembly, starting on March 27 and concluding on April 29. results will be declared on May 2.
Attending the Modi rally at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata yesterday, Mithun formally accepted the saffron sash from Kailash Vijayvargiya, the national general secretary of BJP. Addressing the rally just ahead of Modi’s arrival at the Brigade Parade Ground, Mithun said: “It’s been a dream-come-true for me to be present on this podium today with the BJP top-brass and Prime Minister Modi.”
‘New Bengal’
Modi addressed the rally, saying: “I have come here today to convince the people of Bengal about the BJP’s resolve to build a new and resurgent Bengal.” He further said that it is BJP that will bring about a “real change” in Bengal. He also said: “I’m happy that today, Bengal’s son-of-the-soil Mithun Chakraborty is also with us.”
Right from the alleged issue of nepotism surrounding Mamata’s nephew and TMC member of parliament Abhishek Banerjee to taking a swipe at the Bengal CM’s perceived dalliance with tokenism at trying to ride an escooter recently, Modi maintained an aggressive pitch all through his more than an hourlong speech at Brigade Parade Ground.
Speaking at the rally, Mithun added: “When I started my career as an actor in Kolkata, we needed to mention ‘behind Jora Bagan Police Station’ on all postal correspondences. Otherwise, those mails would have never reached us.
“It was such a nondescript neighbourhood. But even in those days, I had a dream — to do something for this state and its people. It is that same urge that has brought me to this podium today. And I give you my word — I won’t run away.”