Sushmita Dev, a former Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned from her seat and the party on Wednesday.
Dev's departure represents a significant blow to the TMC leadership in West Bengal, as it marks the second such exit from the party in a week [1]. The resignation comes during a period of internal instability for the party, which recently saw 61 MLAs back rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee [1].
Dev said she does not want to be in a situation where she is in two boats at the same time. She said that she is not directly involved in Bengal politics because she is from Assam.
"Today, I am a free woman," Dev said. "I have known Himanta da (Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma) for long now; I paid a courtesy visit to him. I am not privy to who is doing what."
While Dev declined to comment on party leader Mamata Banerjee, she said that her reasons for leaving the TMC are part of a "long story." Her meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has fueled widespread speculation that she may switch her affiliation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [2].
Dev submitted her resignation in New Delhi. The move follows a pattern of shifting loyalties within the region's political landscape, a trend that continues to challenge the TMC's influence outside of its West Bengal stronghold.
“"I don't want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time."”
The exit of Sushmita Dev highlights the fragile nature of the TMC's coalition-building outside West Bengal. By resigning from both her legislative seat and the party, Dev avoids the legal complexities of party-switching while signaling a move toward a different political camp. This trend of high-profile defections, coupled with internal rebellion among MLAs, suggests a weakening of the party's central discipline and may embolden opposition parties in the northeast.
