Sushmita Dev Quits TMC, Meets Assam CM Himanta Sarma Amid Party Meltdown

Top Summary

• What happened: Senior Trinamool Congress leader Sushmita Dev resigned as a Rajya Sabha MP, meeting Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, shortly after fellow MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also quit.
• Why it matters: This signifies a deepening internal crisis for the Trinamool Congress following its West Bengal Assembly election defeat, fueling speculation about further political realignments.
• What changes: The political landscape in Bengal and Assam could see shifts with prominent leaders potentially changing affiliations, affecting regional representation and party dynamics.
• Who is affected: The Trinamool Congress faces severe challenges to its stability and leadership, alongside its remaining elected representatives and the broader political climate in Eastern India.

Another High-Profile Exit Rocks Trinamool

In a significant blow to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior leader Sushmita Dev today resigned as a Rajya Sabha MP.

Dev formally submitted her resignation to Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan, requesting immediate acceptance.

Her resignation follows that of another senior Trinamool leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, who also gave up his membership recently.

Adding to the political drama, Sushmita Dev was seen meeting Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, sparking intense speculation about her next political move. Neither Dev nor BJP officials immediately commented on the meeting.

Party Meltdown After Bengal Defeat

These developments unfold amid a massive internal crisis gripping the Trinamool Congress, which suffered a crushing defeat in the recently held West Bengal Assembly election.

Barely a month after losing power in Bengal, the Trinamool appears to be unravelling, facing significant internal dissent and defections.

The first sign of rebellion emerged when 60 of its 80 MLAs defied Mamata Banerjee’s choice for Leader of the Opposition, Sovandeb Chatterjee.

Shortly thereafter, a rebel faction claimed that 20 of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs intend to align with the NDA, indicating widespread discontent within the parliamentary ranks.

Trinamool Loses Key Assam Face

Sushmita Dev, though a Rajya Sabha MP from Bengal, hails from Assam’s Barak Valley region. She had joined the Trinamool Congress in 2021, having previously quit the Congress months after the Assam assembly elections.

The Trinamool had nominated her for the Rajya Sabha shortly after her entry, recognizing her stature.

Dev was a prominent face for the Congress in Assam, known for her close ties to Rahul Gandhi. She also served as an MLA and Lok Sabha MP during her time with the Congress.

Daughter of former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, Sushmita Dev was considered the face of the Congress in the Barak Valley. Following her move, she became the Trinamool Congress’s most prominent, and arguably only, face in Assam.

Despite her leadership, the Trinamool struggled to establish a significant foothold in Assam, failing to register any wins in the Barak Valley. Its sole legislative assembly win came from Sherman Ali Ahmed in Baghbor, attributed largely to his individual appeal.

Leaders Speak on Internal Turmoil

The post-poll meltdown in Trinamool has been swift and severe. Beyond the MLA rebellion led by Ritabrata Banerjee, the crisis extended to Delhi.

Senior leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar reportedly wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, claiming 20 Lok Sabha MPs desired recognition as a separate bloc aligned with the NDA.

In the Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray’s resignation from both primary party membership and the Upper House signaled deep-seated issues.

"Because of the situation that was prevailing in the party for a long time," Ray told The Indian Express, explaining his decision to resign.

When questioned about potentially joining another party, Ray stated,

"I have spent 59 years in politics. So I have to take a call at the appropriate time after introspection and retrospection."

 

What to Watch Next

All eyes will now be on Sushmita Dev's next political affiliation, particularly after her meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Trinamool Congress faces an uphill battle to contain further defections and stabilize its leadership amidst the ongoing internal turmoil, with potential shifts in the political landscape of both West Bengal and Assam.