BJP Welcomes Former TMC Leaders Ahead of Rajya Sabha By-Elections in West Bengal

In a significant political maneuver, the BJP has welcomed former TMC leaders Sushmita Dev, Sukendu Shekhar Roy, and Prakash Chik Barik as candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections in West Bengal. This decision, made shortly after their induction into the party, reflects the BJP's strategy to strengthen its position by incorporating influential opposition figures. With a strong majority in the state assembly, the BJP is poised to secure victories in the elections, while the TMC faces challenges following the departure of its senior members. This development could reshape the political landscape in West Bengal.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 14:28 IST

BJP's Strategic Move in West Bengal Politics

Kolkata. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swiftly declared former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members Sushmita Dev, Sukendu Shekhar Roy, and Prakash Chik Barik as candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections in West Bengal, just hours after their induction into the party. This move is perceived as a strategy to strengthen the BJP's foothold in state politics by incorporating select opposition leaders and expanding its organizational reach.

This marks the first instance of the BJP welcoming former TMC leaders following a significant victory in the assembly elections. It also suggests that the informal ban on TMC leaders joining the BJP post-election may not apply to those deemed politically influential and free from corruption allegations. After resigning from both the TMC and Rajya Sabha following the party's defeat in the assembly elections, these leaders are now poised to return to Parliament under the BJP banner.

Samik Bhattacharya, the president of BJP's West Bengal unit, described the inclusion of these leaders as an exceptional case, clarifying that it does not indicate a shift in the party's previous stance. He emphasized that the BJP remains closed to TMC leaders embroiled in corruption, but welcomes those who have not participated in corrupt practices or abuse of power. This signals to opposition leaders that the BJP not only offers them a place but also a respectable identity within the party.

According to the Election Commission's notification, separate elections will be held for the three vacant Rajya Sabha seats, with each seat considered an independent election. However, all three by-elections will occur under the same schedule. With 207 legislators in the 294-member West Bengal assembly, the BJP is in a strong position to secure victories on its own for each seat. In contrast, the opposition is relatively weak, and even if the factions of TMC led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee were to unite, they would only have a combined total of 80 legislators.

Since the elections for the three seats will be conducted separately, distinct majorities will be required for each. The BJP possesses enough legislators to secure victories independently, while the opposition lacks sufficient numbers for even one seat. This confidence has allowed the BJP to field the three former TMC MPs without hesitation. Additionally, the departure of three senior TMC MPs shortly after the assembly elections has led to perceptions that the TMC is facing organizational challenges.

In response to these developments, senior TMC leader Sougata Roy remarked that these seats belonged to the TMC, and the decision of those who left the party will ultimately be judged by the people of Bengal, as history has never been kind to traitors. Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader stated that the assembly elections have transformed the political landscape of Bengal, and there is room in the BJP for experienced and unblemished leaders who wish to contribute to the state's reconstruction. This situation has drawn comparisons to Odisha, where the BJP similarly brought former Rajya Sabha members of the Biju Janata Dal into its fold to facilitate their return to Parliament through by-elections.