‘TMC lacks environment for political growth in Assam’: Sushmita Dev explains why she quit party

Former TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev, who recently quit the party, on Saturday said that certain personal and political reasons propelled her decision to ditch the Mamata Banerjee-led outfit.

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Dev said that she wants to advance in Assam’s politics and that the TMC lacked the environment to facilitate that growth for her.

Advertisement

“I believe that if I want to advance in Assam’s politics, the Trinamool Congress currently lacks the environment to facilitate that growth in the state; this is the main reason to leave the party,” she said.

The former TMC MP, however, didn’t reveal her future course of action and urged her supporters and admirers to have a little patience.

“Please have a little patience. You will soon find out which direction I am heading…My admirers were with me and will stay with me…,” she said.

Her decision to quit the party and resign as its Rajya Sabha MP came amid the ongoing rebellion by several other TMC MPs.

According to the rebel faction, at least 20 MPs have signed a letter sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conveying to him that they want to support the NDA.

However, in contrast to the rebel Lok Sabha MPs, Dev asserted that if one leaves a party, they should also give up their seat.

“If one leaves a party, one should also give up the Rajya Sabha seat, as that seat was granted by the party; that is what I felt was right,” she added.

After quitting the TMC, Dev had met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, fueling speculation about her BJP switch, a development she has not yet confirmed.