TMC MP Rukmini Mallick resigns from Rajya Sabha, fourth party MP to quit
Mallick submitted her resignation to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, becoming the fourth TMC MP to step down from the Upper House since the party lost power in West Bengal
In a fresh setback to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, party MP Rukmini Mallick on Thursday (July 16) resigned from the Rajya Sabha, becoming the fourth MP to do so since the party was ousted from power in West Bengal. The MP, who is also an actor in Bengali film industry, took oath as Rajya Sabha MP in April this year.
Mallick met the Rajya Sabha chairman and tendered her resignation. “I do hereby resign from the membership of Rajya Sabha, which may please be accepted with immediate effect,” she said in her resignation letter.
“I convey my sincere gratitude to deputy chairman and all functionaries of Rajya Sabha Secretariat extending all help and cooperation during my tenure as member of Rajya Sabha,” she wrote.
Also read | Hours after defecting, 3 ex-TMC MPs named BJP Rajya Sabha candidates
TMC MPs Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, Susmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House earlier. The trio subsequently joined the BJP and were also named the party's candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections.
On Wednesday, Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra joined the rebel camp in the West Bengal Assembly and resigned from all party posts. Explaining his decision, he alleged that the party had become increasingly focused on promoting its general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, and said he was no longer able to function effectively within the organisation.
(With agency inputs)