Former Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Wednesday broke her silence after resigning from the party and stepping down as a Rajya Sabha MP, saying her decision was the result of a long political journey
and personal reflection.
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Speaking after her resignation, Dev said there were many reasons behind her decision but suggested that not everything in politics needed to be publicly explained. “What prompted me to this decision is a very long story and in politics, I don’t think that everything needs to be revealed. However, I feel that I don’t want to be in two boats,” she said.
“No Comments On Mamata”
Dev described herself as politically independent following her resignation. “Today, I am a free woman. I have known Himanta da (Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma) for long now; I paid a courtesy visit to him,” she said.
Her remarks came shortly after she met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, fuelling speculation about her future political plans to join BJP. However, Dev did not indicate any immediate next step and stressed that she was not involved in the developments unfolding within the Trinamool Congress.
“I am not privy to who is doing what; also, I am not directly involved in Bengal politics, as I am from Assam. I will not make any comments against Mamata Banerjee,” she said.
Wants time before taking next step
Seeking time before making any fresh political decision, Dev said she wanted to take a brief break and think about her future. Dev said, “I have resigned for my personal and political reasons. Everyone has the right to change in thought in our country. I cannot say anything more right now.”
“I need some time to think. Assam is my state, and I need to do some thinking,” she said.
Second MP to quit in a week
The resignation marks another setback for the Trinamool Congress, which has been facing internal turbulence in recent days. Dev became the second MP to resign from the party within a week after Sukhendu Shekhar Ray. She will meet Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and submit her resignation from the Upper House at 1 pm on Wednesday.
The development comes amid growing uncertainty within the party following claims by dissident leaders that several Trinamool MPs are distancing themselves from the organisation.
Reacting to Dev’s resignation, senior TMC leader Saugata Roy told CNN that her departure was a “shock” for the party.
