Sushmita Dev, a Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned from her post and the party on June 10, 2024 [1].
The resignation marks a significant shift in the regional political landscape as the TMC faces internal instability and potential defections. This move is particularly impactful given the strategic importance of Assam's political alignment.
Following her resignation, Dev met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Delhi [2]. The meeting occurred shortly after her departure from the party, fueling widespread speculation that she may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [1, 2].
Dev said she wants to focus on development politics in Assam [2]. Her departure is the second instance of a TMC MP stepping down within a single week [3].
The timing of the resignation and the subsequent meeting with the Assam Chief Minister suggests a calculated move toward a new political affiliation. While no formal announcement regarding a party switch has been made, the proximity of the meeting to the resignation has drawn attention to the BJP's growing influence in the region [1, 2].
“Sushmita Dev resigned from the Rajya Sabha and the TMC.”
The departure of Sushmita Dev suggests a weakening of the Trinamool Congress's grip on its parliamentary members and a potential strategic gain for the BJP in Assam. By aligning with the state's Chief Minister, Dev positions herself within the dominant administrative power structure of her home region, signaling a shift from opposition politics to a focus on state-led development.
