Kolkata: In a major political shift ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections in West Bengal, three former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament — Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Prakash Chik Baraik, and Sushmita Dev — officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. Shortly after their formal induction, the BJP leadership announced the trio as the party’s candidates for the vacant Rajya Sabha seats.
The three seats fell vacant following the recent resignations of these MPs from the TMC after the state assembly elections. The leaders joined the saffron party in the presence of West Bengal BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya. Following her resignation from the TMC, Sushmita Dev had recently held a significant meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, fueling speculations of her political switch.
Welcoming the leaders, Samik Bhattacharya stated that the former MPs had pledged to work towards the development of Bengal. He noted that the public had supported the BJP’s slogan of removing fear and bringing in trust, and praised the past parliamentary performance of the newly inducted members. Bhattacharya emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly advocated for the progress of West Bengal.
Following his induction, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy launched a scathing attack on the TMC government. He alleged that previous state administrations had turned Bengal, a state that once led the nation, into a “desert” plagued by rampant scams. He highlighted the massive public outrage following the RG Kar incident, asserting that the TMC’s sole objective had become opposing the central government rather than seeking developmental aid. Roy added that young people are migrating out of Bengal, leaving the state functioning like an old age home.
Sushmita Dev also severely criticised her former party, alleging unimaginable grassroots corruption. Expressing her deep disappointment, she remarked that while she once looked up to Mamata Banerjee’s simple image, the reality of the widespread corruption within the party shattered her expectations. She further claimed that even current Lok Sabha MPs no longer wish to contest under the TMC symbol because it has become synonymous with corruption. Dev confidently stated that if the BJP is given two years in power, the entire face of Bengal will change.
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