TMC’s Rajya Sabha Exodus: Prakash Chik Baraik Quits as Internal Crisis Deepens

The resignation of Prakash Chik Baraik marks the third exit of a TMC Rajya Sabha member within a week, leaving Mamata Banerjee’s party with just 10 seats in the Upper House.

The political ground in West Bengal is shifting under Mamata Banerjee’s feet. On Thursday, Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik officially submitted his resignation to Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, becoming the third high-profile TMC leader to walk out of the Upper House in just seven days. His departure follows the recent exits of senior party figures Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev, triggering intense speculation about the stability of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the national capital.

Baraik, a prominent tribal leader from Alipurduar, was elected to the Rajya Sabha in August 2023. His exit is not merely a procedural loss of a seat; it is a signal of the growing disillusionment within the party ranks. When asked by reporters about his future path and potential alignment with the BJP, Baraik offered no clarity, stating only that "time will tell." He framed his exit as a decision made in accordance with the "opinion of the people of West Bengal."

A Pattern of Defection

The timing of these resignations suggests a coordinated erosion of the party’s strength. With the tally in the Rajya Sabha now reduced to 10, the TMC’s legislative leverage is shrinking rapidly. Reports from political corridors indicate that this may just be the beginning. Sources suggest that at least three more Rajya Sabha members could tender their resignations within the coming week. If these projections hold, the party’s footprint in Parliament will face a historic decline.

The crisis is not confined to Delhi. Back in Kolkata, the legislative assembly is witnessing a parallel rebellion. A significant faction—comprising 64 out of 80 MLAs—has effectively broken away from the official TMC legislative party, forming a separate bloc under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee. This group has successfully asserted its presence in the assembly, further isolating the party leadership and fueling rumors of a structural collapse.

Why It Matters: The Bigger Picture

This is a critical juncture for the TMC. The pattern of resignations, combined with the floor-crossing in the state assembly, suggests that the post-election fallout has moved beyond simple political disagreement into an existential crisis for the party organization. By shedding members at both the state and national levels, the TMC is struggling to maintain its narrative of unity. The loss of key voices—ranging from seasoned veterans like Sukhendu Shekhar Roy to grassroots leaders like Baraik—indicates that the central leadership is losing its grip on diverse party factions.

For the opposition, these events are clear indicators of a party in decline, though the rebel leaders themselves have been careful to frame their actions as internal organizational matters rather than a formal merger with other political entities. As the number of defecting legislators grows, the core challenge for Mamata Banerjee will be to contain the bleeding before the party loses its remaining parliamentary influence and its status as a cohesive political force in West Bengal.