Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the party and Parliament’s Upper House on June 10, citing political and personal reasons. After her resignation, Dev said she wants to focus on serving the people of Assam, her home state. Her meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked political speculation.
Quick Glance
- Sushmita Dev resigned from TMC membership and Rajya Sabha on June 10.
- She cited “political and personal reasons” behind her decision.
- Dev said she wants to continue politics and work for the people of Assam.
- Her meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma triggered speculation about her next political move.
Agartala/Kolkata: Trinamool Congress faced another major political development on Wednesday after Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the party and Parliament’s Upper House.
Dev submitted her resignation from the Rajya Sabha to Vice President of India at around 11 am. She also resigned from the primary membership of the Trinamool Congress.
Her exit came within days of another TMC Rajya Sabha member leaving the party. The development has intensified discussions over internal changes within the party.
However, Dev clarified that her decision was based on her own reasons.
Speaking to the media after submitting her resignation, Dev said she had “political and personal reasons” behind the move.
“I have some political and personal reasons. I do not want to say anything more than that,” Dev told IANS.
Dev Says Her Focus Will Remain on Assam
After resigning, Sushmita Dev highlighted her connection with Assam and expressed her desire to work for the people of the state.
Dev said she does not have a direct role in West Bengal politics and wants to continue her political journey from Assam.
“I am not directly involved in Bengal politics, I am from Assam. My political future will continue, and there are many ways to do it. But I want to serve the people of Assam,” she said.
Her statement has gained importance because Dev played a key role in TMC’s efforts to expand its presence in Northeast India after joining the party in 2021.
Meeting with Himanta Biswa Sarma Sparks Speculation
Soon after her resignation, Dev met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi.
The meeting created political speculation about a possible move towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, Dev has not announced any decision regarding her future political affiliation.
The Assam leader has emerged as a key figure in Northeast politics. Any political association between Dev and the BJP could influence the political dynamics in Assam.
At present, there has been no official confirmation from Dev or the BJP regarding her next move.
Second TMC Rajya Sabha Exit Within a Week
Sushmita Dev’s resignation became the second resignation by a TMC Rajya Sabha member within one week.
Earlier on June 8, senior Trinamool leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned from the Rajya Sabha and the party’s primary membership.
Roy said he accepted the mandate given by voters in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
He also criticised the Trinamool Congress government and linked the election outcome with issues such as corruption allegations, crimes against women, employment challenges, healthcare, education, industrial growth and law and order.
The two resignations have brought renewed attention to developments within the party.
Sushmita Dev’s Political Journey from Assam
Sushmita Dev comes from a prominent political family in Assam.
She is the daughter of former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, who served in the Union Cabinet under three Congress Prime Ministers — Rajiv Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.
Dev started her political career with the Congress party. She represented the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency in Assam from 2014 to 2019.
The Bengali-majority Silchar constituency remained her political base during her tenure as a Member of Parliament.
However, she lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election to BJP candidate Rajdeep Roy.
TMC Role and Northeast Expansion Strategy
In August 2021, Dev joined the Trinamool Congress after leaving the Congress.
Soon after joining TMC, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assigned her the responsibility of expanding the party’s organisation in Northeast India.
Dev became one of the prominent faces of TMC’s outreach programme in Assam and other northeastern states.
Her resignation now raises questions about the party’s future strategy in the region.
Sushmita Dev’s Rajya Sabha Tenure
| Position | Period |
|---|---|
| First Rajya Sabha term with TMC | October 2021 to August 2023 |
| Second Rajya Sabha term | Started April 2024 |
| Resignation | June 10, 2026 |
Dev resigned before completing her second Rajya Sabha term.
Sushmita on TMC Resignation Trend
When asked about resignations by other TMC leaders, Dev avoided commenting on their decisions.
“Who is leaving the Trinamool and why they are leaving can only be answered by those people. I can speak about myself,” she said.
She added that she had completed her decision after resigning from the party and submitting her Rajya Sabha resignation.
Political Impact in Northeast India
Sushmita Dev’s resignation has become a significant development in Assam politics.
Her background, experience and association with both Congress and TMC make her an important political figure in the region.
While her next step remains unclear, her statement about serving Assam indicates that the state will remain central to her future political plans.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
Why did Sushmita Dev resign from TMC?
Sushmita Dev said she resigned due to “political and personal reasons” but did not provide further details.
Did Sushmita Dev confirm joining BJP?
No. She has not confirmed joining the BJP. Her meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has only triggered speculation.
What did Sushmita Dev say after resigning?
Dev said she wants to continue politics and work for the people of Assam, where she comes from. (With IANS inputs)