Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plunged deeper into crisis on Thursday after its Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from both the party and the Upper House, becoming the third MP to do so since Monday. While Lok Sabha MPs Saayoni Ghosh and Mala Ray are reportedly leaning toward the rebel camp, the party received some relief as MPs Shatrughan Sinha, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed, and Rajya Sabha MP Babul Supriyo clarified their continued allegiance to Mamata Banerjee.
Baraik's resignation mirrors Sushmita Dev
In a letter similar to the one submitted by Sushmita Dev on Wednesday, Baraik—who also served as TMC's Alipurduar district president and was brought into the party by Abhishek Banerjee—announced his resignation from the Rajya Sabha. While Dev met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma immediately after resigning, Baraik's first stop was the Delhi residence of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
"People of Bengal have given their mandate to BJP. TMC didn't win. Looking at the mandate… I am resigning from the party," Baraik stated outside Dubey's residence. In a subsequent interview with PTI, he said: "I will work as per the directions of CM Suvendu Adhikari and PM Narendra Modi. I want to work for the people where I come from." However, Baraik refrained from explicitly confirming his political future with the BJP.
Silence from Saayoni and Mala draws criticism
The resignations unfolded against the backdrop of MPs Saayoni Ghosh and Mala Ray maintaining a cryptic silence about their stance. Neither responded to calls. Saayoni returned to Kolkata wearing sunglasses and a cap, her face covered with a mask. Without answering journalists, she walked to her car with her cellphone pressed to her ear.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh took a dig at her behavior: "I mistook it for a Covid-time photo. She is either a rebel or with the party. Why this suspense?" Regarding Mala, Kunal added: "She is the Kolkata South MP, a KMC chairperson. She is also unwell. What more can I say?"
Loyalists reaffirm support for Mamata
Veteran actor and MP Shatrughan Sinha made it clear he would stand by Mamata Banerjee and TMC during these "difficult times." Speaking to PTI, he recalled: "When I was going through a difficult phase after losing the Patna Lok Sabha election in 2019, very few people stood by me. Mamata Banerjee was among them. She believed I should continue in public life without any gap in my parliamentary journey. It was on her direction that I contested from Asansol. By God's grace, and with support of Mamata ji and the people of Asansol, I achieved victory."
Sinha emphasized his loyalty: "I have always spoken frankly and called a spade a spade. I was elected on the TMC symbol of 'Jora Phool' not once but twice. Therefore, it is my duty and responsibility to stand by Mamata ji and Trinamool."
Babul Supriyo, who recently moved to the Rajya Sabha, refuted all speculation in a post on X: "Amid all this confusion and rumour, I just wish to make it clear that I am neither joining any faction nor any other party. I think it's inappropriate to abandon a ship when it is in troubled waters."
Uluberia MP Sajda Ahmed also broke her silence while speaking to TOI: "I have not signed the letter. I am very much where people voted for me." Jaynagar MP Pratima Mondal backed Mamata as well: "People voted for me and a particular symbol. I stand with the people and that symbol."
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