Sushmita Dev, a former Rajya Sabha MP, has resigned from her seat and quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC) [1, 2].
Dev's departure marks a significant shift in the regional political landscape of Assam. Her exit is the second time a TMC leader has left the party within a single week [3].
Following her resignation, Dev met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma [2, 4]. The meeting has sparked speculation regarding a potential move to the Bharatiya Janata Party, though Dev has not formally announced a new party affiliation [4].
Dev said she wants to concentrate on the political environment of her home state. "I want to focus in Assam," Dev said [5].
She further explained her decision to leave the TMC by stating she did not want to be split between different political directions. "I don't want to be in two boats," Dev said [2].
Dev served as a representative in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's parliament, before stepping down from both her legislative role and her party membership [1, 2].
“"I don't want to be in two boats."”
The resignation of Sushmita Dev suggests a weakening of the Trinamool Congress's influence in Assam. By meeting with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and explicitly stating a desire to focus on state-level politics, Dev is positioning herself for a role in the local administration or a different political alliance, potentially aiding the BJP's dominance in the region.
