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EYE ON INDIA JULY 17, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

From Trinamool to BJP:

High-profile defections signal a

new phase in Bengal politics

The BJP’s induction of three former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MPs has intensified the
political confrontation in West Bengal, with both parties trading charges ahead of the July 24 bypolls

OUR BUREAU
Kolkata
est Bengal’s political battle
intensified this week after
Wthe Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) inducted three former Trina-
mool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha
MPs into its ranks and immediately
fielded them as candidates for the up-
coming Rajya Sabha bypolls, prompt-
ing sharp reactions from the ruling
party, which dismissed the defections
as inconsequential.
Former Rajya Sabha MPs
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita
Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik for-
mally joined the BJP at the party’s
state headquarters in Kolkata in the
presence of West Bengal BJP presi- West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya holds the party’s flag as a celebration as former Trinamool Congress MPs Sushmita Dev,
dent Samik Bhattacharya and other
senior leaders. Within hours of their Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, and Prakash Chik Baraik join BJP, in Kolkata on Thursday (ANI Photo)
induction, the BJP announced them
as its candidates for the July 24 Rajya Trinamool Congress’s undisputed The BJP has sought to project the BJP state president Samik Bhat-
Sabha bypolls. leader, but the party’s crushing defeat defections as evidence that influential tacharya welcomed the three leaders,
The bypolls became necessary in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly TMC figures are increasingly placing saying their decision reflected grow-
after the three leaders resigned from elections has significantly weakened their faith in Prime Minister Naren- ing confidence in Prime Minister Mo-
the Rajya Sabha last month. Polling her political authority. For the first dra Modi’s leadership and the party’s di’s leadership. He argued that West
and counting are scheduled for July time since ending the Left Front’s 34- governance model. While Banerjee Bengal had suffered due to years of
24. Downplaying the political impact year rule in 2011, the TMC finds itself continues to command a loyal support political confrontation with the Cen-
of the defections, TMC MP Dola Sen in the opposition, triggering an exodus base and remains the TMC’s principal tre and said the BJP was committed to
said the party’s fortunes depended of senior leaders and exposing inter- vote-puller, the challenge before her accelerating the state’s development.
on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nal fault lines that had long remained is no longer simply confronting the The TMC, however, accused the
and the people rather than individual hidden. The defections of former BJP but rebuilding organisational dis- BJP of engineering defections instead
leaders. Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar cipline, preventing further defections of seeking a fresh public mandate.
“It makes no difference,” Sen Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik and convincing both party workers Senior party leader Kunal Ghosh al-
said, adding that elected representa- Baraik to the BJP are being seen not and voters that the TMC can remain a leged that the BJP was relying on po-
tives derive their mandate from Ma- merely as isolated departures but as credible alternative despite its loss of litical manoeuvring to secure Rajya
mata Banerjee and the people, and signs of growing uncertainty within power. Sabha victories and claimed that lead-
suggesting that those leaving the party the party. After joining the BJP, Sushmita ers switching parties were unwilling to
could be motivated by “fear or greed.” The setbacks have also dented Dev thanked the party leadership for face the electorate again. He main-
She said the electorate would deliver Banerjee’s image as Bengal’s un- nominating her to the Rajya Sabha and tained that voters would ultimately
the final verdict. challenged political centre of gravity. praised Prime Minister Narendra Mo- judge those who had changed political
The defections come amid signs During the TMC’s years in power, her di’s leadership. She said Modi’s vision allegiance.
of unrest within the TMC following personal popularity and organisation- had inspired millions of Indians and The latest defections mark anoth-
its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal As- al control ensured remarkable party highlighted his government’s focus on er chapter in the intensifying political
sembly elections, with the party facing cohesion despite periodic rebellions. the development of the Northeast. Dev contest between the BJP and the TMC,
rebellion in both the Assembly and That grip now appears less secure as also expressed confidence that West with the Rajya Sabha bypolls emerg-
Parliament. leaders reassess their political futures Bengal would witness a new phase of ing as the next battleground in West
Mamata Banerjee remains the under a BJP-led state government. development under BJP leadership. Bengal’s evolving political landscape.

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