Mithun Chakraborty was originally Naxalite, changed parties 4 times: TMC MP

Kolkata: Shortly after Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP, TMC MP Saugata Roy on Sunday said that the actor has “no credibility, and influence among people now”.

Roy further said that Chakraborty, a former Trinamool Rajya Sabha member, was originally a Naxalite and has changed parties four times.

“Mithun Chakraborty is not a star of today. He is a star of yesteryears. He has changed parties four times. He was originally a Naxalite, then went to CPM, then he joined TMC and was made a Rajya Sabha MP. BJP threatened him (actor Mithun Chakraborty) with cases by ED and he left Rajya Sabha and now he has joined BJP. He has no credibility, no respect, and no influence among the people,” he said.

Chakraborty, who has a huge fan-following in Bengal, joined the BJP at a massive rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kolkata Brigade Parade Ground ahead of state election.

Speaking at the rally, the actor said that he was a “pure cobra” that can kill people in one strike. "Here is my new dialogue. Ami joldhorao noi, bele borao noi... ami ekta cobra, ek chobol-ei chobi (Don't mistake me for a harmless snake, I am a cobra, can kill people in one bite,” he said amid huge cheers by the public.

Chakraborty was welcomed into the BJP fold by BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state president Dilip Ghosh among others.

The national award-winning actor said he had always wanted to work for the underprivileged, and the saffron camp has given him a platform to fulfill his aspiration.

The 70-year-old actor, who earlier had close ties with Mamata Banerjee, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the TMC in 2014. He, however, quit the Upper House seat in 2016 citing health reasons, after his name cropped up in the Saradha ponzi scam.

Elections to the 291-member Assembly seats in the state will be held in eight phases, from March 27 to April 29.!~ `