Babul Supriyo is a singer-turned-politician who joined the Trinamool Congress on Saturday, months after announcing that he would quit active politics. In the West Bengal assembly elections 2021, he was one of the high-profile contestants of the phase 4 elections. He fought against TMC legislator Arup Biswas at Tollygunge.

Supriyo, the two-time Lok Sabha member from Asansol who loves to sing to voters, was drafted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the state polls in 2021.

Since joining the BJP in 2014, the MP from Asansol has handsomely won two Lok Sabha elections. His first win was against formidable Trinamool Congress opponent Dola Sen, who he defeated by 60,000 votes in 2014. In 2019, riding on a Modi wave, he defeated popular actress Moon Moon Sen by 1.97 lakh votes.

A very vocal critic of Mamata Banerjee and her government, Supriyo was a lateral entry into politics. No student politics or Zila, panchayat level elections for him. His popularity as a singer ensured a direct entry to parliamentary elections.

Supriyo‘s interest in music started at a very young age, which was not a surprise considering he hailed from a family of musicians. He was greatly influenced by his grandfather, Banikantha NC Baral, a Bengali vocalist, and composer. He started participating in music competitions from an early age and won many awards.

After graduating in Commerce from Serampore College in 1991, Supriyo briefly worked at a bank. But that was not his calling. He soon quit the job and focused full-time on his musical career. Born Supriya Baral, the singer changed his name to Babul Supriyo when he entered the entertainment industry.

Supriyo the singer initially travelled abroad for stage shows with stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. His big breakthrough came in 2000 with “Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara” song from Hrithik Roshan’s debut film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. He sang several hit songs thereafter — “Pari Pari Hai Ek Pari” (Hungama), “Hum Tum” (Hum Tum) and “Chanda Chamke” (Fanaa).

After 14 years in the film industry, this banker-turned-singer shifted gears to join politics. After joining the BJP,  he also became the youngest union minister in 2014 at the age of 40.

He was inducted as the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in November 2014. His portfolio was later changed to Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises on July 12, 2016.

Supriyo is married to former air hostess Rachna Sharma and they have a daughter together. He also has a daughter from a previous marriage.