TMC MP Rukmini ‘Koel’ Mallick resigns from Rajya Sabha in yet another setback to Mamata Banerjee

Following its crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be crumbling like a house of cards as party leaders continue to desert the former Bengal CM.

In the latest setback, actress-politician and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Rukmini ‘Koel’ Mallick has reportedly parted ways with Mamata Banerjee.

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Mallick met Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and submitted her resignation from the Rajya Sabha.

Soon after, Mallick met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, a development that intensified speculation about her political future. This meeting assumes significance as Yadav had recently played a key role in the political realignment involving Trinamool Congress rebels.

According to sources, Mallick had earlier emailed her resignation to the Rajya Sabha Chairman but according to parliamentary rules, a member must appear in person to formally submit the resignation.

She, therefore, handed over the resignation letter personally on Thursday morning before meeting Yadav.

While Mallick has not disclosed the reason behind her decision, her resignation comes just a day after Mamata Banerjee’s long-time aide Madan Mitra quit the TMC and joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction.

Mitra had blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the party’s crisis.

“I had suggested that Abhishek Banerjee step aside for six months or a year. I told him, ‘Let us build the party, and then you can come back and take your seat,’ but he refused. He said, ‘I won’t leave the party.’ The party is sinking; the boat has gone under. People are dying. Yet, the party decided, or rather it was forced to accept, that everyone else could die, but Abhishek had to be saved. It is deeply saddening,” he said.

However, Mamata defended her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, saying that Mitra left because of ED summons issued to his family members.

“Abhishek Banerjee has been turned into an excuse. His family members were summoned. Had he wanted, he could have got relief. But he did not run away from the battlefield. The way he has continued to fight, all his flaws have been forgiven,” said the TMC chief.

According to the TMC, Mitra’s wife and sons were summoned by the ED a day before he joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction.