West Bengal BJP MLA Hiran Chatterjee’s Second Marriage Sparks Controversy Ahead of Polls

Just months ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and Bengali film actor Hiran Chatterjee has found himself at the centre of a major controversy following his second marriage to model Ritika Giri. The development has triggered sharp allegations from his first wife, who has termed the marriage “illegal” and accused the legislator of deception.

Hiran Chatterjee, the sitting MLA from Kharagpur Sadar, shared photographs of his wedding ceremony on social media earlier this week. The pictures show the actor-turned-politician tying the knot with Ritika Giri in Varanasi, following traditional Hindu rituals.

First Wife Alleges Betrayal

Soon after the wedding photos surfaced, Chatterjee’s first wife, Anindita Chatterjee, publicly accused him of entering into a second marriage without obtaining a legal divorce. She claimed that their marriage, solemnised on December 11, 2000, is still legally valid.

“We are neither separated nor divorced. We have a 19-year-old daughter,” Anindita Chatterjee said, adding that she had remained silent for years for the sake of her child and family.

She further alleged that Chatterjee became involved with Ritika Giri after becoming an MLA and continued to mislead her. Highlighting the age factor, she stated that Ritika Giri is only a few years older than their daughter, making the situation deeply distressing for her.

Claims of Prolonged Suffering

Anindita Chatterjee also alleged that she endured prolonged emotional distress but chose not to speak out earlier. “What he has done now has forced me to raise my voice,” she said, adding that Chatterjee continued to visit her and their daughter during breaks from political work in his constituency.

Silence from Chatterjee and BJP

As of now, Hiran Chatterjee has not issued any public statement responding to the allegations. The West Bengal BJP has also maintained silence on the matter, despite the controversy emerging at a politically sensitive time.

Chatterjee, who was inducted into the BJP by senior leader Dilip Ghosh, is a well-known face in Bengali cinema before entering active politics. He was born on December 19, 1985, and is currently 40 years old.

With allegations flying and no official clarification yet, the issue has added an unexpected layer of controversy to the BJP’s pre-election landscape in West Bengal.