The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened on Thursday as Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House of Parliament, marking the third resignation by a TMC Rajya Sabha member in recent days. The development comes as a significant blow to party chief Mamata Banerjee, who is grappling with mounting dissent within the party ranks.
Baraik is expected to meet Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan at 11 a.m. to formally submit his resignation. In his resignation letter, the tribal leader expressed gratitude to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and its officials for their support during his tenure.
“Respected Sir, I do hereby resign from the membership of Rajya Sabha, which may please be accepted with immediate effect. I convey my sincere gratitude to your Excellency, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman and all functionaries of Rajya Sabha Secretariat extending all help and cooperation during my tenure as a Member of the Rajya Sabha,” Baraik wrote.
With his departure, the TMC’s strength in the Rajya Sabha is expected to decline to 10 members, raising concerns about the party’s diminishing presence in the Upper House. Reports suggest that the exodus may not be over, with as many as three more TMC MPs reportedly considering resignation in the coming days, potentially intensifying the party’s troubles.
Speaking to reporters after announcing his decision, Baraik said he had acted in accordance with the sentiments of the people of West Bengal. “Accepting the opinion given by the people of West Bengal, I have also submitted my resignation today,” he stated.
When asked whether he planned to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Baraik remained non-committal, saying only, “Time will tell.”
Prakash Chik Baraik is regarded as a prominent tribal leader from West Bengal’s Alipurduar district and has been closely associated with the Siliguri region. He was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in August 2023 on a TMC ticket and became one of the first tribal leaders from his community to represent the state in Parliament’s Upper House.
The TMC had also entrusted him with the responsibility of district president in Alipurduar. During his parliamentary tenure, Baraik frequently highlighted issues affecting tea garden workers, advocating for improved provident fund benefits, labour rights and access to welfare schemes.
Baraik’s resignation follows the recent exits of two other prominent TMC Rajya Sabha members. Just a day earlier, former Congress leader Sushmita Dev, who joined the TMC in 2021, resigned from the party. Earlier in the week, veteran parliamentarian Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also stepped down from both the party and the Rajya Sabha.
The back-to-back resignations have fuelled speculation about growing dissatisfaction within the party and have raised questions about its internal cohesion ahead of future political battles.
The resignations come against the backdrop of an unprecedented rebellion within the TMC’s legislative wing in West Bengal. Reports indicate that as many as 58 party MLAs defied the leadership and backed Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of the Opposition, rejecting the party’s official nominee, Shovandeb Chattopadhyay.
The revolt is being viewed as one of the most serious internal challenges faced by the TMC in recent years. With multiple resignations, signs of rebellion among legislators and uncertainty over further defections, the party leadership faces a crucial test in maintaining unity and stability within its ranks.
As political observers closely watch developments in West Bengal, the coming days are expected to be critical for the future direction of the Trinamool Congress and its leadership under Mamata Banerjee.
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