Sushmita Dev, a Rajya Sabha MP of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned from her position on June 10, 2024 [2].
The departure signals a deepening internal crisis for the party and its leader, Mamata Banerjee, as the TMC faces a wave of defections. This exit follows a period of heightened instability and public scrutiny over governance and ethics within the party's ranks.
Dev's resignation is the second such exit from the party within a single week [1]. This trend comes as the TMC grapples with significant controversies, including corruption allegations and the RG Kar rape-murder case. These events have created a volatile atmosphere for the party's leadership in New Delhi and West Bengal.
The turmoil is not limited to the Rajya Sabha. Santanu Sen, another TMC figure, recently stepped down as a party spokesperson. Sen said the party's current struggles were the primary reason for his departure.
"I cannot continue as spokesperson due to the controversy around the RG Kar rape‑murder case and corruption," Sen said.
The loss of key representatives in the upper house of Parliament weakens the TMC's legislative presence. The party must now navigate these departures while attempting to maintain a unified front against political rivals, including the BJP, which has reportedly monitored the shifting loyalties of rebel camp members.
“Sushmita Dev's resignation is the second such exit from the party within a single week”
The resignation of Sushmita Dev, coupled with the exit of Santanu Sen, indicates a systemic erosion of confidence within the TMC's senior leadership. By losing members of the Rajya Sabha, the party loses not only legislative votes but also strategic influence in New Delhi. This instability suggests that the combination of corruption scandals and the fallout from the RG Kar case has created a tipping point, potentially encouraging more members to defect to opposing parties to avoid political contagion.
