Imon Chakraborty Excluded From TMC Candidate List

Speculation had been rife over the past few weeks that National Award-winning actress and singer Imon Chakraborty might feature in the candidate list of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the upcoming elections. The buzz intensified after she lent her voice to “Lokkhi’r Panchali”, a musical tribute evaluating the West Bengal government’s work—a performance widely appreciated by political circles and social media users alike.

Her recent receipt of the Banga Bibhushan award further fuelled conjecture, with many assuming that her public recognition would translate into a political candidacy. However, on Tuesday, 17 March, when the TMC unveiled its list of candidates for 291 constituencies, Imon’s name was notably absent, upending the assumptions of her supporters and observers.

Questions quickly arose over whether she had been offered a candidacy or had consciously declined. When approached by the media, Imon expressed clear frustration. “The media created all this hype around me,” she stated emphatically. “I never said anything about contesting elections. Just because Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appreciates my music does not mean I am going to stand for office every time.”

She went on to describe the toll of the speculation on her mental health. “The way this narrative has been blown up has caused me mental trauma,” she said. “I am an artist. My work is singing, and that is what I will continue to do. After the past few days of speculation, today is the day the record is set straight. I hope everyone can now find peace.”

In a social media post addressing the rumours, Imon wrote wryly about the months of imaginative ‘campaigning’ orchestrated by netizens:

Through her post, she made a heartfelt plea to supporters and the public to respect her professional focus and personal boundaries. Her message underlines a broader concern over the pressures celebrities face when political speculation intersects with their public recognition.

As of now, Imon Chakraborty has reaffirmed her commitment to her artistic career, making it clear that her voice—both literal and metaphorical—will remain in the realm of music, not politics.