In the latest episode of the series of jolts to Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress's Prakash Chik Baraik resigned as the Rajya Sabha MP on Thursday, making it the third such resignation from party MPs after Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev. Baraik's resignation was accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan.
"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," he wrote in the resignation letter.
With Baraik's resignation, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to see its strength in the Rajya Sabha decline to 10 members.
Reports indicate that the party's troubles may not end there, with as many as three more TMC Rajya Sabha MPs reportedly considering resignation within the next week. If that happens, it could further deepen the crisis for the party led by Mamata Banerjee.
Will he join BJP?
Speaking to reporters, Baraik said, "Accepting the opinion given by the people of West Bengal, I have also submitted my resignation today."
Upon asking the question whether he would join the BJP, he says, "Time will tell."
Who is Prakash Chik Baraik
Prakash Chik Baraik is a prominent tribal leader and politician from West Bengal. He is associated with the Siliguri region and hails from Alipurduar district in the northern part of the state.
He was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in August 2023 on a TMC ticket. Baraik is regarded as one of the first tribal leaders from his community to be elected to the Upper House of Parliament from the state.
The TMC had also appointed him as its district president for Alipurduar. During his tenure in Parliament, he consistently raised issues concerning tea garden workers, particularly their rights, provident fund (PF) benefits and access to social welfare schemes.
TMC exodus continues
Baraik's resignation comes just a day after Sushmita Dev, a former Congress leader who joined the Trinamool Congress in 2021, quit the party.
Earlier this week, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray also resigned from both the party and the Rajya Sabha, adding to the turmoil within the TMC.
The developments come amid an unprecedented rebellion within the legislature wing of All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. As many as 58 party MLAs reportedly 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 marks one of the most significant internal challenges faced by the party led by Mamata Banerjee in recent years.