Sushmita Dev, a Rajya Sabha MP for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned from her seat and the party on June 10, 2024 [1].
This departure marks a significant blow to the TMC's influence in the region and signals a potential shift in the political landscape of Assam. Dev is expected to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha by-polls in the state [2].
Dev announced her resignation in New Delhi, and said internal turmoil within the TMC was a primary driver for her decision [1]. Her exit is the second instance of a TMC leader quitting the party within one week [3].
Sources said the move is part of a broader strategy to reposition Dev within the BJP's framework ahead of the electoral contests in Assam [2]. The BJP has been seeking to strengthen its hold on the region, and adding a prominent figure like Dev could provide a tactical advantage during the by-polls [2].
While the TMC has not issued a formal statement regarding the specific nature of the internal turmoil mentioned by Dev, the loss of a Rajya Sabha member disrupts the party's representation in the upper house [1]. This trend of defections suggests a period of instability for the party led by Mamata Banerjee [3].
Dev's transition from the TMC to the BJP mirrors a pattern of political realignment seen across various Indian states, where leaders move toward the ruling party to secure future electoral prospects [2]. The focus now shifts to the official announcement of her induction into the BJP and her candidacy for the Assam seats [2].
“Sushmita Dev resigned from her seat and the party on June 10, 2024.”
The resignation of Sushmita Dev underscores a weakening of the Trinamool Congress's grip on its regional leadership and highlights the BJP's ability to attract high-profile opposition figures. By securing a candidate with Dev's profile for the Assam by-polls, the BJP aims to consolidate its dominance in the northeast, further isolating the TMC in its efforts to expand beyond West Bengal.
