The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing an escalating internal crisis after Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Barik resigned from both the Upper House of Parliament and the party on June 11, 2026. Barik, a former minister in Mamata Banerjee’s government and a Rajya Sabha member since August 2023, became the third TMC MP to quit within a week, following the resignations of Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev.
Speaking after submitting his resignation to Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, Barik said he was stepping down in view of the “people’s mandate” favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in North Bengal, and added that he would work “as per CM Suvendu Adhikari’s instructions” in future.
His departure reduces TMC’s strength in the Rajya Sabha from 13 to 10 and comes amid reports of broader dissent within the party, including claims that a group of Lok Sabha MPs and several MLAs are seeking to distance themselves from the current leadership.
While dissident leaders have cited electoral setbacks and organisational concerns, senior TMC figures such as Babul Supriyo and Shatrughan Sinha have publicly reaffirmed their support for Mamata Banerjee, rejecting speculation of further defections.
Third Rajya Sabha Exit
Prakash Chik Barik’s resignation has emerged as another significant setback for the Trinamool Congress at a time when the party is grappling with visible internal divisions. The 46-year-old leader from Alipurduar was elected to the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2023, and was expected to serve until August 2029.
Before entering the Upper House, Barik had established himself as an influential political figure in North Bengal and had also served as a minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet. His resignation, therefore, carries both political and symbolic weight for the party.
After tendering his resignation in Delhi, Barik offered a public explanation for his decision, linking it to what he described as a clear shift in public sentiment. “People have given a clear mandate. People have favoured the BJP over the Trinamool.
Our party’s result was not even good in northern Bengal. I have resigned in view of the people’s mandate,” he said. Barik also confirmed that he had not spoken to Mamata Banerjee before stepping down and stated that he had resigned from both Parliament and the party organisation.
Perhaps the most politically significant aspect of his statement was his apparent endorsement of Suvendu Adhikari, one of the BJP’s most prominent leaders in West Bengal and a former TMC heavyweight. “I will work as per CM Suvendu Adhikari’s instructions in the future.
I will work for development,” Barik said while speaking from the residence of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in Delhi. The remarks have intensified speculation about his future political alignment and whether he may formally join forces with the BJP.
Barik’s resignation follows those of Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev earlier in the week. Together, the three departures have significantly weakened the party’s representation in the Upper House and raised questions about the stability of its parliamentary ranks ahead of future political contests.
Growing Signs Of Dissent
The latest resignation comes against the backdrop of a wider political churn within the Trinamool Congress. Reports suggest that dissatisfaction within sections of the party has been building following electoral setbacks and organisational disagreements.
Barik himself contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Alipurduar (ST) constituency but lost to BJP candidate Manoj Tigga, a defeat that many analysts viewed as part of the BJP’s continued expansion in North Bengal.
The unrest appears to extend beyond the Rajya Sabha. According to reports, around 20 TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha, led by Kakali Ghosh Dastidar and Shatabdi Roy, have approached Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc that would support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
While the long-term implications of such a move remain uncertain, it has fuelled speculation about a broader political realignment within West Bengal and national opposition politics.
Simultaneously, the party is also facing challenges within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has reportedly emerged as the leader of a dissident faction claiming support from nearly 60 of the party’s 80 legislators.
The group is said to be backing his bid to become the Leader of the Opposition instead of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who has been nominated by the party leadership. If these claims are borne out, the development could mark one of the most serious internal rebellions in the history of the Trinamool Congress.
Despite the turbulence, not all senior leaders have distanced themselves from the party leadership. Veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha and former Union Minister Babul Supriyo have publicly pledged support to Mamata Banerjee.
In a video statement addressing rumours about his own political future, Supriyo said, “Amidst all these rumours and confusions, I just want to make it clear that I am neither joining any other faction nor any party. I think it’s inappropriate to abandon the leadership when they are in trouble.” His comments have been interpreted as an attempt to reassure party workers and counter narratives of a mass exodus.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Political disagreements, ideological shifts and leadership challenges are part of the democratic process. However, moments of internal crisis also test the resilience of institutions, parties and public discourse. The developments within the Trinamool Congress underscore the importance of transparency, accountability and open dialogue in political organisations, especially those that play a significant role in shaping public policy and governance.
