Baraik becomes third MP to resign from Trinamool & RS

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress descended into deeper crisis on Thursday after its Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the party and Upper House, making him the third to do so since Monday.With its Lok Sabha MPs Saayoni Ghosh and Mala Ray also leaning towards the rebel camp, there was, however, a breather of sorts: LS MPs Shatrughan Sinha, Pratima Mondal and Sajda Ahmed, and RS MP Babul Supriyo made it clear they would remain with Mamata Banerjee.In a letter similar to what Sushmita Dev wrote on Wednesday, Baraik — also TMC's Alipurduar district president who was drafted into the party by Abhishek Banerjee — announced his Rajya Sabha resignation.While Dev called on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma immediately after her resignation, Baraik's first stop was the Delhi residence of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey."People of Bengal have given their mandate to BJP. TMC didn't win. Looking at the mandate… I am resigning from the party," Baraik said outside Dubey's residence.In an interview with PTI later, he said: "I will work as per the directions of CM Suvendu Adhikari and PM Narendra Modi. I want to work for the people where I come from." Baraik, however, refused to spell out his political future in BJP clearly.The resignation came against the backdrop of MPs Saayoni and Mala maintaining a stoic silence whether they had joined the rebels. They did not respond to calls. Saayoni returned to Kolkata in sunglasses and a cap, her face covered with a mask. Without answering journalists, she walked to her car with her cellphone to her ear.This drew immediate barbs from TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. "I mistook it for a Covid-time photo. She is either a rebel or with the party. Why this suspense?" he asked. On Mala, Kunal said, "She is the Kolkata South MP, a KMC chairperson. She is also unwell. What more can I say?"Veteran actor Sinha, however, made it clear he will stand by Mamata and Trinamool during these "difficult times". Speaking to PTI, he said: "When I was going through a difficult phase after losing the Patna (Lok Sabha) election in 2019, very few people stood by me. Mamata Banerjee was among them. She believed I should continue in public life without any gap in my parliamentary journey. It was on her direction that I contested from Asansol. By God's grace, and with support of Mamata ji and the people of Asansol, I achieved victory.""I have always spoken frankly and called a spade a spade. I was elected on the TMC symbol of ‘Jora Phool' not once but twice. Therefore, it is my duty and responsibility to stand by Mamata ji and Trinamool," Sinha added.Refuting all speculation, Supriyo posted on X: "Amid all this confusion and rumour, I just wish to make it clear that I am neither joining any faction nor any other party. I think it's inappropriate to abandon a ship when it is in troubled waters."Uluberia MP Ahmed also broke her silence while speaking to TOI. "I have not signed the letter. I am very much where people voted for me." Jaynagar MP Mondal also backed Mamata. "People voted for me and a particular symbol. I stand with the people and that symbol."