Three former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members—Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik, and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy—have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant shift in political alliances.The trio resigned from the Upper House of Parliament in June amid internal factional disputes within the TMC.

Their induction into the BJP took place in the presence of state party president Samik Bhattacharya, signaling a strategic move amid the TMC's ongoing internal strife.The TMC has faced severe factional challenges following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections in May.In June, a group of 20 TMC MPs sought to merge with the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens’ Party, a BJP ally, but were rebuffed.

National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee demanded disqualification of rebel MPs, while nearly 60 MLAs defied leadership to elect Ritabrata Banerjee as Opposition leader.The political turmoil was further highlighted by the resignation of Chandrima Bhattacharya, a key loyalist of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.Dev, now a BJP member, praised the party's 'massive wins' in West Bengal and Assam, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.The BJP welcomed the leaders, calling it a 'joyous occasion' for the party.This development underscores the deepening factional rifts within the TMC and the BJP's growing influence in the region.