Sushmita Dev, a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit the party [1].
This departure signals a deepening internal crisis for the TMC and its leader, Mamata Banerjee. The loss of senior figures suggests a fragmenting power base and potential shifts in political loyalty ahead of future electoral contests.
Dev's exit is the second high-profile resignation from the party within one week [3]. This follows the departure of Rajya Sabha chief whip Sukhendu Sekhar Roy [2]. The rapid succession of exits indicates a period of instability for the party's upper house representation.
Following her resignation in New Delhi, Dev traveled to Assam to meet with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma [1]. This meeting has fueled speculation that Dev may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [2].
While the TMC has not issued a formal statement on the specific reasons for the resignation, reports indicate the move is part of a broader rebel camp forming within the party [3]. The internal turmoil is characterized by senior leaders leaving the fold in quick succession, a trend that puts the party's cohesion at risk.
Dev has previously been a prominent voice for the TMC in the Rajya Sabha. Her decision to leave the party and engage with BJP leadership in Assam represents a significant strategic shift in the region's political landscape [1].
“Sushmita Dev has resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit the party.”
The resignation of Sushmita Dev, coupled with the recent exit of Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, suggests a systemic leak of senior leadership from the TMC. By meeting with the Assam Chief Minister, Dev is signaling a pivot toward the BJP, which may embolden other disgruntled party members to defect. This trend weakens the TMC's influence in the Rajya Sabha and potentially alters the political equilibrium in Assam.
