Three Former TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJP, Nominated for Bypolls

In a significant political reshuffle in West Bengal, three prominent former Rajya Sabha members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)—Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (also referred to as Roy), and Prakash Chik Baraik—formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata on Thursday, July 9, 2026. This development marks a considerable 'setback' for the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, especially in the wake of the party's recent electoral performance in the state assembly elections. The induction ceremony took place at the BJP's Salt Lake office in Kolkata, where the former MPs were welcomed into the saffron party by West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and other senior state leaders. Bhattacharya lauded their decision, emphasizing that their extensive experience would undoubtedly strengthen the BJP's organizational presence and political efforts in West Bengal. The three leaders had resigned from both their Rajya Sabha seats and the Trinamool Congress in quick succession during June 2026. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray was the first to resign on June 8, 2026, followed by Sushmita Dev on June 10, 2026, and Prakash Chik Baraik on June 11, 2026. Their resignations were reportedly prompted by a combination of factors, including the TMC's defeat in the recent West Bengal assembly elections and growing internal dissent within the party. Some defectors, like Sushmita Dev, cited 'political and personal reasons' and later, upon joining BJP, highlighted corruption within the TMC at the grassroots level and a desire to work for a 'double-engine' government model for development. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray also criticized the TMC government for what he termed a 'politics of confrontation' with the Centre, which he believed stalled development in the state. Barely hours after their formal induction, the BJP announced that it would field these three newly joined leaders as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections from West Bengal. The Election Commission of India had earlier announced the schedule for these by-elections, with polling and counting of votes slated for July 24, 2026. The vacancies for these three seats arose directly from the resignations of Dev, Ray, and Baraik. Given the current political arithmetic in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, where the BJP emerged as the dominant force with 208 seats in the 294-member assembly, the party is strongly positioned to secure all three Rajya Sabha seats. Winning these seats would further augment the BJP's strength in the Upper House of Parliament, potentially taking the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) tally closer to a two-thirds majority, which is significant for passing constitutional amendment bills and other crucial legislation. The Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, acknowledged the defections, with TMC leader Kunal Ghosh expressing dismay and stating that these leaders had not left when Mamata Banerjee was Chief Minister. He further remarked that the public is observing these developments. This round of defections, coupled with other internal conflicts within the TMC and the BJP's strategic move to nominate the turncoats, highlights the dynamic and often tumultuous political landscape of West Bengal. The immediate fielding of the former TMC MPs as BJP candidates underscores the high stakes involved in these by-elections, as both parties vie for influence and representation in national politics through the Rajya Sabha. Sushmita Dev, a former President of the All India Mahila Congress, had joined TMC in 2021 after leaving the Congress party. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, a veteran political figure, had been a Rajya Sabha MP for TMC since 2011, serving as the party's chief whip. Prakash Chik Baraik had entered the Rajya Sabha in 2023 on a TMC ticket. Their terms were originally scheduled to continue until various dates in late 2028, 2029, and 2030, meaning their resignations cut short their tenures and necessitated these by-elections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest