Moments after resigning from the Rajya Sabha, Sushmita Dev on Wednesday also stepped down from the Trinamool Congress, giving a significant blow to party
chief Mamata Banerjee. Soon after submitting her resignation as Rajya Sabha MP, Dev explained her decision, saying she did not want to find herself "in two boats at the same time," indicating her switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Confirming her decision to part ways from TMC, Sushmita Dev told reporters, "I have left Trinamool Congress. It is a long story why I left TMC. I don't want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time. I will not comment on Mamata Didi."
#WATCH | Delhi | Sushmita Dev confirms quitting TMC, says, "I have left Trinamool Congress. It is a long story why I left TMC. I don't want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time. I will not comment on Mamata Didi." pic.twitter.com/8eVs56R2zk
— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2026
The development comes shortly after the Dev met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, triggering speculation about her joining BJP. Her meeting with Sarma is being viewed as a significant indication of her next move. However, she has not commented on her future political plans.
Sushmita Dev Resigns From Rajya Sabha
Dev is the second Rajya Sabha MP from TMC to resign this month amid the internal rebellion within the party. Her resignation came after TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Roy on June 8 tendered his resignation, blasting what he called "unbridled corruption" in West Bengal during the Trinamool regime.In her resignation, Dev wrote, "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 the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, extending all help and cooperation during my tenure as a Member of the Rajya Sabha."
Sushmita Dev meets Himanta Biswa Sarma
Shortly after her resignation, Sushmita Dev was seen meeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Visuals of the two leaders from the Assam CM's Delhi residence also surfaced online, triggering buzz of her possible switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) soon.With this, speculations regarding rebellion within the TMC has intensified. Several reports are also suggesting that around 20 Lok Sabha MPs are seeking to break away from the party and are planning to function as a separate group. Rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had confirmed submitting a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking to align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
"We are 20 MPs who have requested the Speaker for separate seating, and we will be working in conjunction with the Central and State Government for the development of West Bengal," she said.
The rebel MPs' meetings with Union minister Bhupender Yadav and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari have further fuelled speculation that the faction could eventually align with or merge into the BJP-led NDA.
