Actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty visited state BJP headquarters on Monday for the first time since his induction to the party in March 2021, amid speculations that the beleagured state unit of the saffron camp is planning to encash his appeal in Bengal in the panchayat and Lok Sabha polls.

The Trinamul turncoat met the chief of the BJP state unit Sukanta Majumdar and other office bearers at the BJP office of 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane where, sources said, his future role for the party was discussed.

“Mithunda has campaigned for us 55 days during the Assembly polls (last year). But he has never come to the state office and hence we welcomed him here today (Monday),” Majumdar said.

“He has promised us that he will invest even more time for Bengal BJP in the upcoming elections.”

According to sources, the party’s plan is to exploit Mithun’s popularity to the fullest. His presence will rejuvenate party workers after a series of poll debacles in the state, a Bengal BJP leader said.

The national award winner was inducted into the saffron camp on March 7 last year in Calcutta at a rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mithun campaigned for the party extensively across the state before the Assembly polls. However, after saffron camp’s debacle — the BJP had claimed that it would form a new government in Bengal with more than 200 MLAs but its tally was restricted to 77 — the star-politician was nowhere to be seen.

The only other time Mithun flashed his connection with BJP publicly was ahead of the April 12 Asansol bypoll. Mithun had issued a video message seeking votes for his '”sister”, the BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul.

On his absence from politics and the party, Mithun said he was unwell for a long time.

“I was unwell hence I wasn’t here. Now I’m alright and my (party) president has given me a specific task. I'll give more time here now,” Mithun said, but clarified that he doesn’t wish to serve as an MP again.

Mithun’s prolonged absence and sudden appearance on Monday prompted some party members to question his intentions and efficacy.

“We think he has been forced by the Delhi leaders to come and meet Sukantada. Why else would he come?” a BJP leader asked. “He is unwell and his popularity is fading. We doubt if he will at all be able to turn the tides for us.”

Some said the meeting between Mithun and Majumdar shows the sheer desperation of the Bengal BJP.

“Our repeated poll debacles have made our leaders desperate. It appears that they would do anything, even bank upon an actor past his prime, to get votes,” a BJP leader said, adding there is no alternative to good organisation.