Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from India's Upper House and the party on May 24, 2026 [1].

The departure of a veteran lawmaker signals deepening instability within the TMC and suggests a growing rift between the party leadership and its senior members.

Ray submitted his resignation in New Delhi, ending his tenure in the Rajya Sabha [1]. His decision to quit the Trinamool Congress follows a period of intensifying internal friction. He said a deepening rebellion within the party and ongoing unrest in the West Bengal Assembly were primary drivers for his exit [2, 3].

In his critique, Ray addressed the long-term administration of the state. He specifically criticized the 15 years of rule under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee [2]. This critique marks a significant break from a senior figure who previously operated within the party's inner circle.

While resigning from the TMC, Ray praised the recent initiatives undertaken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal [2, 3]. The BJP is the primary political opponent of the TMC in the state, making the endorsement a notable shift in political alignment.

This resignation occurs amid a broader atmosphere of political shake-ups. The loss of a senior Rajya Sabha representative reduces the party's influence in the Upper House and highlights the challenges Banerjee faces in maintaining discipline among her ranks [2].

Reports from other sources mentioned different party officials resigning from posts, but the resignation of Ray from both the house and the party is the central development in this crisis [1, 2, 3].

“Senior TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from the Upper House and quit the Trinamool Congress”

The resignation of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray represents more than a single vacancy in the Rajya Sabha; it is a public indictment of the TMC's internal governance. By praising the BJP while criticizing the current state administration, Ray provides a blueprint for other disgruntled party members to defect. This weakens the TMC's legislative strength and provides the opposition with a narrative of systemic failure within the Banerjee administration.