Sushmita Dev, a former Trinamool Congress member and Rajya Sabha representative, has resigned from her party and her parliamentary seat [1, 2].
This shift marks a significant realignment for a prominent political figure in Assam. Her decision to distance herself from the Trinamool Congress and seek guidance from the state's leadership suggests a potential move toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [2, 3].
Dev met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to discuss her future political role within the state [1, 2]. She said she wants to focus her efforts on work within her home state of Assam, citing both personal and political motivations for the change [1, 3].
During an interview, Dev addressed her departure from the party leadership. "I did not want to be in a 'two boards' situation," Dev said [1].
When questioned about the internal dynamics of the Trinamool Congress that may have led to her exit, Dev declined to provide specific details. "I was not aware of internal party decisions and prefer not to comment on matters I was not directly involved in," Dev said [1].
While reports confirm her resignation from the party, there is some variation in reporting regarding her legislative status. Some reports explicitly state she has resigned from her Rajya Sabha seat [2], while others focus primarily on her exit from the party [2].
Dev has indicated that she wants to contribute to the development of Assam and is currently seeking the necessary guidance to determine how she can best serve the state in her new political capacity [2, 3].
“"I did not want to be in a 'two boards' situation."”
The departure of Sushmita Dev from the Trinamool Congress weakens the party's footprint in Assam while potentially strengthening the BJP's grip on the region. By seeking guidance from Chief Minister Sarma, Dev is signaling a transition toward the ruling state government, reflecting a broader trend of political realignment in Northeast India where regional leaders are increasingly gravitating toward the center-right coalition.
