Baraik’s visit to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s residence has sharpened political speculation, though he said his next move would be revealed later.
TMC MP Prakash Chik Baraik has resigned from the Rajya Sabha, the third such exit within a week. | X/@ChikPrakash
Former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House on Thursday, saying he had accepted the “opinion” of the people of West Bengal and did not feel it was right to continue in his position.
His resignation comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing a widening internal crisis, with three Rajya Sabha exits in less than a week and rebel voices claiming growing support within the party’s legislative ranks.
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Speaking to reporters after stepping down, Baraik said, “Accepting the opinion given by the people of West Bengal, I have also submitted my resignation today.”
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The resignation follows those of TMC MP Sushmita Dev, who quit the Rajya Sabha on June 10, and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who resigned from the Upper House and the primary membership of the Trinamool Congress on June 8.
Baraik said the political message from West Bengal had weighed on his decision. “The mandate in West Bengal… the mandate of the people was in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the party formed the government there,” he told media persons, according to ANI.
He added that the results in his own constituency had also influenced his call. “In my own constituency, we did not win even a single seat. The results in North Bengal were also not good. Looking at the mandate, I felt that it was no longer right for me to continue in my position. Therefore, I resigned from both my post and from the party,” Baraik said.
Amid speculation that some Trinamool Congress MPs may move towards the National Democratic Alliance, Baraik reached the residence of BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey.
Asked whether he would join the BJP, Baraik did not give a direct answer. “Time will tell,” he said.
He added, “As for what lies ahead, please wait and watch. Things will be revealed in due course. I am not very old. What I will do in politics in the coming days is something that time will decide. Please wait, and I’ll reveal the answer.”
Baraik, however, clarified that he had no personal grievance against TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and would wait for the right time to speak on his future political activities.
#WATCH | Delhi: TMC MP Prakash Chik Baraik says, “I don’t have any demands. In view of the mandate the BJP received in West Bengal…, I too submitted my resignation.” pic.twitter.com/0KDDxwxJXs
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2026
The latest resignation comes amid a series of rebel assertions inside the Trinamool Congress, adding to the uncertainty over the party’s internal cohesion and speculation around a possible merger.
Rebel TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday rejected speculation that the dissident faction could merge with the Congress, saying the developments were strictly internal to the organisation.
Banerjee, recently recognised as the Leader of the Opposition by the West Bengal Assembly Speaker, claimed that his camp now had the support of 64 MLAs, up from the 58 who had initially signed a letter of support. He said the legislators were preparing to submit a formal letter to the Speaker to strengthen their position.
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