Tollywood actors Piya Sengupta and and Kaushani Mukherjee join Trinamool ahead of 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections

Piya Sengupta is also the would be mother-in-law of Kaushani. The duo joined the TMC in the presence of state minister Bratya Basu and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.

Apart from being an actor, Piya Sengupta is also a producer, director and writer. She made her acting debut with Dadamoni, directed by Sukhen Das, her late father, who also acted in Bengali cinema.

“I am inspired by the work done by Mamata Banerjee. Seeing her work for development in the State I decided to work as one of her foot soldiers,” Piya Sengupta said while interacting with the media.

Actor Koushani Mukherjee, who debuted with the movie Parbona Ami Chartey Tokey in 2015, said, "Many young women like me have seen the work done by Mamata Banerjee. Didi has always stood by our side and we will always support her. I am hear to work and not speak."

"I want to be on Didi's side in this difficult time and strengthen her hands," she added.

Piya Sengupta also heaped praises on Trinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee. "Good work is always accompanied by criticism. Detractors will do their job. The fact that Abhishek is continuouslly attacked by the opposition stands testimony to his efforts for the people," she stated.

The new joinees were handed over Trinamool Congress flags by Bratya Basu and Kunal Ghosh.

In his address, Basu said the situation in West Bengal is different from the other parts of India.

"Indian art and cultural is going through a tough period. Even the likes of Anurag Kashyap, Nasiruddin Shah are being threatened. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana was harassed for raising his voice in favour of dalits. There are many who criticise Mamata Banerjee openly but they are never harassed. Bengal will lose freedom of expression, if BJP comes to power," the minister said.