In a recent development that has marked the intersection of celebrity and politics, acclaimed actor Mithun Chakraborty, at the age of 73, has been discharged from a Kolkata hospital. He was previously admitted due to symptoms indicative of an Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (ICVA), commonly known as a stroke, where the blood flow to the brain is obstructed by a clot.
Upon his release from medical care on Monday afternoon, the multifaceted public figure and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enthusiast detailed his current condition and his intention to remain politically active. Despite his recent health scare, Chakraborty insists that aside from a propensity to overindulge in food, he is not battling any severe health issues. “I eat like a demon. So I was punished. My advice for everyone is to control your diet. Those who are diabetic should not have the misconception that consuming sweets will not make any difference. Control your diet,” he exclaimed, advocating for dietary prudence.
Unyielding in his political involvement, Mithun assured the public and his constituents that his stint in the hospital would not deter his campaigning efforts for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. He conveyed his commitment, “Who will look after the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal? I will. I will be actively engaged with the BJP. If asked, I will also go to other states for campaigning. I have great regards for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Time has come for the BJP to reach its peak,” Chakraborty stated, highlighting his dedication to the party and his respect for the nation’s Prime Minister.
Chakraborty’s political history is as dramatic and colorful as his cinema career. Renowned for his performances in multiple languages, he has traversed an eclectic journey that saw him gravitating towards extreme political stances and ideologies. His political engagement began during his college days in Kolkata, with an initial attraction to the Naxalite movement, a radical communist group.
Later in his illustrious career, Chakrabarty developed a close bond with the CPI-M leadership and established ties with the late Subhash Chakraborty, former West Bengal minister. Yet, the political winds shifted for Chakraborty when urged by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he decided to serve as a Rajya Sabha member for the Trinamool Congress, cementing his role as a key player in state politics.
However, his affiliation with the Trinamool Congress began to wane as key party figures became embroiled in significant financial scandals, namely the Saradha Group and Rose Valley chit fund scams, which sullied the party’s reputation in West Bengal. These scandals and perhaps a search for alternative political foothold led to Chakraborty’s association with the BJP. He solidified his allegiance before the 2021 Assembly elections, becoming a member of the party at a large-scale rally, signifying a new chapter in both his life and the political landscape of Kolkata, an event graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
As Mithun Chakraborty steps out of the hospital’s confines and back into the political arena, it is clear he brings with him a commitment to continue his political journey alongside his recovery. The voracious dietary habits that brought upon his health scare will doubtlessly be tempered, but the fervor with which he intends to support the BJP in West Bengal remains as fiery as ever. The message he imparts is one of resilience—a defiance of physical vulnerability to fulfill political objectives and an unwavering will to contribute to the electoral process.
The film star turned politician’s promise to actively champion the cause of the BJP in the forthcoming elections is a pledge to his supporters that Mithun Chakraborty is far from retiring from the political stage. It is also a signal to the broader electorate that political activism can persevere through personal health challenges, underscoring a narrative of perseverance that transcends conventional boundaries of public service.
