Mithun Chakraborty Resigns From Rajya Sabha Citing Health Reasons

New Delhi: Actor-turned politician Mithun Chakraborty has resigned from Rajya Sabha citing health reasons. Mr Chakraborty, whose alleged involvement in the Saradha Ponzi scam made news last year, had attended the Upper House for just three days.

Derek O'Brien, senior leader of his party, the Trinamool Congress, said he had earlier informed Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee. "We continue to share a warm relationship and his family. Wish him speedy recovery," Mr O'Brien tweeted.

In April, Mr Chakraborty had sent a letter to Rajya Sabha deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, saying he would be unable to attend the parliament session due to ill health. His absence was questioned by the members of various parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal United.

Calling it a "misuse of facility", SP member Naresh Agarwal had said, "I have been seeing it that in every session there is a letter from Mithun Chakraborty stating he is unable to attend the house."

The actor was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2014. His term was set to expire in 2020.

Last year, Mr Chakraborty had been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning regarding the Saradha chit fund scam. The questioning came after Saradha chief Sudipta Sen told the agency that Mr Chakraborty had charged him Rs 2 crore to be the brand ambassador for his television channel.

The actor was questioned by the agency in March 2015. The next month, he had reportedly returned Rs 1.2 crore to Enforcement Directorate that he said he had received from the Saradha group.