Bengali actor Payel Sarkar joins BJP ahead of election

Kolkata's Tollywood actress Payel Sarkar has been on boarded by BJP in the presence of party's state unit president Dilip Ghosh and other senior leaders on Thursday.

Speaking to India Today, Payel Ghosh said, “Got immense love from all, now I want to work for the people of Bengal. Want Bengal to be what it was earlier. When I can see BJP is working so hard for Bengal, I thought of joining them.”

On speculations of a rift in the Bengali film industry, the actor said, “I can speak for myself. I have entertained people now I want to serve them, I do not think groupism will happen. It is a negative thought.”

Star wars in election-bound West Bengal continues as the Mamata Banerjee-led ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are busy roping in actresses and actors in their respective political folds ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.

Payel Sarkar's appointment comes after actor Yash Dasgupta also donned the saffron political outfit in the presence of senior BJP leaders like party's West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, national vice-president Mukul Roy and Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta.

On Wednesday, many local Bengali film and television industry representatives like June Malliah, Sayoni Ghosh, Kanchan Mallick and cricketer Manoj Tiwari had joined the Trinamool Congress in a rally at Sahaganj, in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The election date for West Bengal is ye to be announced.