BJP fields three ex‑TMC MPs as Rajya Sabha candidates in West Bengal

ex-TMC MPs Rajya Sabha bypolls West Bengal BJP candidates Sushmita Dev

Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House in June 2026 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 9–10 July. Their induction was carried out at the BJP’s West Bengal headquarters in Salt Lake by state president Samik Bhattacharya, who described the move as an “exceptional case” despite the party’s earlier stance of keeping its doors closed to TMC leaders.

Hours after the induction, the BJP announced that the three ex‑TMC MPs will contest the three vacant West Bengal Rajya Sabha seats in the by‑elections scheduled for 24 July 2026. The seats became vacant after the trio’s resignations. Party officials said the experienced parliamentarians will strengthen the BJP’s organisation in the state, and they are widely expected to win given the BJP’s current strength in the West Bengal Assembly. The new candidates have also criticised the TMC for corruption and lack of development.

The development marks a notable realignment ahead of future elections in the state.