Mamata Banerjee Faces Fourth Setback in 4 Days: Actress Koel Mallick Resigns from Rajya Sabha

West Bengal: TMC faces massive losses in the recent West Bengal assembly election. Following the loss in the election, distress continues for Mamata Banerjee. A large number of MPs are reportedly moving towards the rebel camp. The party that Mamata Banerjee built is facing its biggest internal crisis in years. This growing rebellion from within the party's own ranks may lead to a split.

On Thursday, MP Prakash Chik Baraik and Actress turned politician Koel Mallick resigned from the position as MP. Amidst the continuous resignation in 4 days, the toll has now reached to 4 MPs. Prior to this, MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev has also resigned from the Rajya Sabha.

After the resignation, Prakash Chick Baraik told to the media, "West Bengal people had given the mandate in support of BJP. TMC had not get the public support. Respecting to the the public mandate, I'm resigning from the position from the party.
He added that he intends to align his future work with the current Chief Minister's agenda.

Who was Baraik for TMC?

Baraik was once considered very close to the Abhishek Banerji. He contested from Alipur in 2024. TMC also sent him to Rajyasabha in 2023.

Koyal Mallick quits, put TMC into distress?

Koyal Mallick's resignation has made things worse for Trinamool in the upper house. The party had fielded her as a Rajya Sabha candidate in February. She took oath as an MP in April. At that time she had spoken about politics being a way to serve people. That did not last long. Within months she has distanced herself from the party completely.

Her exit is part of a bigger exodus. Continuous resignations have pulled TMC's Rajya Sabha strength down from 13 to just nine. Sources say the bleeding is not over yet. More MPs are likely to quit in the coming days. The situation in the Lok Sabha is also looking shaky. A large number of TMC MPs are reportedly in talks with the rebel camp and may switch sides soon.

Shatrughan Sinha stands firm?

Amid all the chaos, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has made his position clear. He is not going anywhere. Sinha said he will not leave the party and will not abandon his leader in difficult times. He said that despite any political differences, it is morally right to stand with Mamata Banerjee right now. His statement stands out at a time when most others are running for the exit.

Sayoni Ghosh is the big question?

The suspense around MP and Youth Trinamool Congress president Sayoni Ghosh is getting thicker by the day. Her name has been appearing in the list of leaders who have been getting close to the rebel camp. But she has not said a word publicly. No statement. No clarification. Nothing.

The Delhi meeting that raised eyebrows?

Sources say that on Wednesday night a significant meeting took place at the residence of Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav in Delhi. Sayoni Ghosh was present at that meeting. So were MPs Mala Roy, Yusuf Pathan, Pratima Mandal and Mitali Bag. Later in the evening West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also arrived and held a long discussion with the MPs. The talks reportedly focused on strengthening the rebel camp and chalking out future political strategy. That meeting has now put Sayoni Ghosh right in the middle of the storm.

Party workers want answers?

After the Delhi meeting became known, questions inside TMC got louder. A section of party workers and leaders want to know openly which side she is on. Her absence from various TMC WhatsApp groups and her continued silence have added to the frustration. Workers are saying that if she is with Trinamool then she should come out and say so clearly. And if she has joined the rebel side then that should also be announced.

Back in Kolkata, still silent?

Sayoni Ghosh returned to Kolkata on Thursday afternoon. Journalists were waiting at the airport. They asked her about her political position and the alleged camp change. She answered nothing. She walked out wearing a cap and a mask, got straight into her vehicle and left. Not a single word. The silence said everything and nothing at the same time.