Sushmita Dev Resigns from Rajya Sabha and Trinamool Congress Amid Political Shifts

In a significant political turn, Sushmita Dev, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has announced her resignation as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and has opted to leave the party altogether. This decision, revealed on Wednesday, stems from a mix of personal and political motivations, though Dev has chosen to keep the specifics of her reasoning close to her chest.

In a brief interaction with reporters, she stated, “Everyone has the right to change their mind,” indicating that her departure was not made lightly. Dev further emphasized the complexities of political decisions, suggesting that not all aspects need to be disclosed, and expressed her desire to avoid being caught in conflicting political affiliations.

The timing of her resignation is noteworthy, coinciding with a visit to Delhi where she met Assam Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma. While Dev characterized this meeting as a “courtesy visit,” it has stirred speculation about her potential alignment with the BJP. Her departure from TMC comes closely on the heels of another resignation from the same party—Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, another Rajya Sabha member, who resigned citing the recent electoral setbacks faced by TMC in West Bengal.

Sushmita Dev’s political journey has been quite dynamic. She served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2021 until 2023, returning to the Upper House in April 2024 after a brief hiatus. Previously, she was a member of the Congress and held positions as an MLA in Assam from 2011 to 2014 and as a Lok Sabha MP representing the Silchar constituency from 2014 to 2019. Her switch to TMC in 2021 marked a notable shift in her political allegiance, but recent events suggest that her political landscape is changing once again.

The backdrop to these resignations highlights a period of turmoil for the TMC, particularly following their electoral losses to the BJP in the state assembly elections. The party’s struggles to maintain its foothold in West Bengal politics have prompted internal reassessments, as leaders like Dev and Ray reassess their political futures. As the political climate continues to evolve, the implications of these resignations could resonate beyond party lines, signaling a potential reshuffling of alliances in the lead-up to future elections.

Source: scroll.in