TMC's Prakash Chik Baraik quits Rajya Sabha; 3rd MP to resign in 4 days
Synopsis
Three Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MPs have quit in four days — Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and now Prakash Chik Baraik. With Dev reportedly heading toward the BJP and Baraik's loyalties unconfirmed, the exits are testing the grip of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee over a party that built its identity on iron discipline.
Key Takeaways
Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Rajya Sabha on 11 June , submitting his letter to Chairman C.P.
He is the third TMC Rajya Sabha member to resign within four days .
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned on 8 June ; Sushmita Dev resigned on 10 June .
Dev met Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after her resignation, signalling a likely move to the BJP .
Baraik has not stated his reasons or confirmed whether he will also resign from TMC's primary membership.
The resignations raise questions about the future of TMC's leadership under Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee .
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House of Parliament on Thursday, 11 June, becoming the third TMC MP to quit the Rajya Sabha within four days. His resignation letter, dated 11 June, was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday morning.
A Third Blow in Four Days
The latest resignation deepens what is emerging as a structural crisis for the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Parliament. The wave began on 8 June, when veteran leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned from both the Rajya Sabha and the party's primary membership, citing the verdict of the people of West Bengal in the recently concluded Assembly elections as his reason.
Two days later, on 10 June, Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev followed suit, resigning from both the Upper House and the party's primary membership. Her next move is being closely watched: immediately after her resignation on Wednesday, she met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Delhi, raising the strong possibility of her joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Baraik's Position Within TMC
Baraik was widely regarded as a close confidant of TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. He was elevated to the Rajya Sabha in 2023. Before the West Bengal Assembly elections, there were internal party discussions about fielding him as a candidate from a constituency in North Bengal, though that possibility did not materialise.
At the time of filing this report, Baraik had not publicly stated the reasons for his resignation, nor had he clarified whether he intended to also resign from the primary membership of the Trinamool Congress — a step that would formally sever his ties with the party.
What the Party Has Not Said
Unlike Roy, who offered a public rationale, and Dev, whose post-resignation meeting signalled a likely political destination, Baraik's silence leaves his future affiliation uncertain. It is not yet confirmed whether he has resigned or plans to resign from TMC's primary membership.
Broader Implications for TMC
The trio of resignations within a single week has intensified questions about the TMC's cohesion in both Parliament and the West Bengal Assembly. Analysts note that the exits come at a particularly sensitive moment, with the party's leadership structure — anchored by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee — under scrutiny. This is the most concentrated spell of high-profile departures the party has faced in recent memory, and the direction of further defections, if any, could reshape the political landscape in West Bengal ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
Dev, and Baraik span the ideological and factional spectrum of TMC, suggesting the discontent is not confined to one wing. What is striking is the timing: coming immediately after the West Bengal Assembly election results, these departures read as a verdict within the party, not just on it. The Abhishek Banerjee-Mamata Banerjee axis has long managed dissent through tight organisational control; that mechanism now appears to be fraying at the parliamentary level. Whether the defections trigger a cascade or are contained will depend on how quickly the TMC leadership moves to consolidate — and whether the BJP, already circling with Sarma's Delhi meetings, can convert momentum into structural gains.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prakash Chik Baraik and why did he resign from Rajya Sabha?
Prakash Chik Baraik is a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member elected in 2023 and a known confidant of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. He submitted his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on 11 June, though he has not publicly stated his reasons.
How many TMC Rajya Sabha members have resigned this week?
Three TMC Rajya Sabha members have resigned within four days: Sukhendu Sekhar Roy on 8 June, Sushmita Dev on 10 June, and Prakash Chik Baraik on 11 June. It is the most concentrated spell of parliamentary departures the party has seen in recent memory.
Is Sushmita Dev joining the BJP after her resignation?
Sushmita Dev's political destination has not been officially confirmed, but there is a strong possibility she may join the BJP. Immediately after resigning on 10 June, she met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Delhi, a meeting widely read as a precursor to her joining the party.
Has Baraik also resigned from TMC's primary membership?
As of the time of reporting, it was not confirmed whether Baraik had resigned or intended to resign from Trinamool Congress's primary membership. Unlike Roy and Dev, who formally quit the party, Baraik's status within TMC remains unclear.
What do the resignations mean for TMC's future in Parliament?
The back-to-back resignations reduce TMC's strength in the Rajya Sabha and raise questions about the party's cohesion under Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Analysts warn that further defections could weaken the party's legislative influence and embolden the BJP in West Bengal.
