The political churn within West Bengal intensified on Thursday as three former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking another high-profile setback for Mamata Banerjee’s party following its recent electoral defeat.
Former MPs Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik were inducted into the BJP at the party’s state headquarters in Kolkata in the presence of West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who welcomed the leaders and handed them the party flag.
BJP Welcomes Former TMC MPs
Speaking after the induction ceremony, Samik Bhattacharya described the three leaders as experienced parliamentarians whose presence would strengthen the BJP in West Bengal. He said, “Against this backdrop, and placing their faith in the leadership of Narendra Modi, three Members of Parliament resigned from the Trinamool Congress. Today, these three — Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy — have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party… These three MPs are stalwarts whose performance in the Rajya Sabha is well-known to everyone.”
He added that the BJP leadership, including senior leaders in the state, had welcomed the trio into the party.
BJP Targets TMC Over Governance
During his address, Bhattacharya also criticised the Trinamool Congress and the Left, accusing both parties of hindering West Bengal’s development by choosing confrontation over cooperation with the Centre. He alleged that the state’s progress had suffered because of political differences instead of collaborative governance.
The BJP has projected the latest defections as a sign of growing confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership ahead of the next political battle in the state.
Rebellion Continues After Election Defeat
The resignations come amid continuing unrest within the Trinamool Congress following the party’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Internal dissent, which initially surfaced within the Assembly, has gradually spread to Parliament, with several senior leaders leaving the party and extending support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The departure of three former Rajya Sabha members is being seen as one of the most significant developments in the ongoing political realignment.
Former Leaders Explain Their Decision
Before joining the BJP, each of the leaders had publicly explained why they decided to leave the Trinamool Congress.
Sushmita Dev chose not to directly criticise Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but remarked that she did not wish to “be part of two boats at the same time.”
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, meanwhile, argued that the party’s electoral defeat reflected public dissatisfaction, claiming the TMC had been rejected because of “rampant corruption and extreme oppression of women” and had failed to adequately address these concerns.
Prakash Chik Baraik said his decision reflected the public verdict, stating that he was merely “accepting the opinion given by the people of West Bengal.”
Political Impact
The latest defections add to the challenges facing the Trinamool Congress as it attempts to regroup after its electoral setback. For the BJP, the induction of three former Rajya Sabha members strengthens its political narrative in West Bengal and provides experienced parliamentary faces as it seeks to expand its organisational base in the state.
Q1. Which former TMC leaders joined the BJP?
Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata.
Q2. Why did they leave the TMC?
The leaders resigned following internal unrest in the Trinamool Congress after the party’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Q3. What did Samik Bhattacharya say?
He said the three former MPs had placed their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and described them as respected parliamentarians who would strengthen the BJP.
Q4. What did Sushmita Dev say before leaving the TMC?
She said she did not want to “be part of two boats at the same time.”
Q5. Why is this politically significant?
The move is seen as another setback for the Trinamool Congress while boosting the BJP’s presence in West Bengal.
