Prakash Chik Baraik, a Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal, resigned from the Upper House and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on June 11, 2026.
This departure signals deepening instability within the TMC following recent elections. The loss of experienced lawmakers from the party's parliamentary wing weakens its legislative influence in New Delhi and suggests a growing rift between the party leadership and its representatives.
Baraik said he was unhappy with the functioning of the TMC. He said that he wanted to follow the mandate and aspirations of the people of West Bengal [1]. His resignation is to be submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in New Delhi [2].
The move comes during a period of rapid attrition for the party. Baraik is the third TMC Rajya Sabha MP to resign in four days [3], or within the current week [4]. This wave of departures has reduced the TMC's strength in the Rajya Sabha to 10 MPs [2].
Baraik also hinted at a potential shift in political allegiance. He said he desired to work with Suvendu Adhikari and suggested a possible move toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [1, 5].
The political base for Baraik remains West Bengal, where the party is currently facing significant post-poll turmoil [3]. The repeated exits of senior members suggest a struggle for the party to maintain cohesion among its ranks in the wake of recent electoral outcomes.
“Baraik is the third TMC Rajya Sabha MP to resign in the current week”
The resignation of Prakash Chik Baraik highlights a critical vulnerability for the Trinamool Congress in the Upper House. By losing three members in less than a week, the party is not only shrinking its voting power but also facing a public exodus toward the BJP. This trend suggests that internal dissatisfaction is peaking, potentially emboldening the opposition to challenge the party's stability in West Bengal.
