Actress-turned-politician Koel Mallick resigned from the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, dealing another blow to the parliamentary strength of the All India Trinamool Congress amid a series of high-profile departures from the Upper House.
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Her resignation comes days after the exits of Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Susmita Dev. Earlier on Thursday, Prakash Chik Baraik also resigned, reducing the party’s strength in the Rajya Sabha to 10. With Mallick’s departure, the number has fallen further to nine.
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The resignation ends days of speculation surrounding Mallick’s political future and has intensified discussions over the direction of the party’s parliamentary strategy.
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Mallick had been nominated to the Rajya Sabha ahead of the Assembly elections in a move widely viewed as an attempt by the party to leverage her popularity in Bengal. After taking oath as a member of the Upper House, she actively participated in political campaigns and public outreach programmes.
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Her induction into politics had attracted considerable attention due to her standing in the Bengali film industry and her family background. She is the daughter of veteran actor Ranjit Mallick.
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While no official reason has been provided for her resignation, political observers believe the changing political landscape and developments within the party may have played a role in the decision.
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The successive resignations have altered the party’s position in the Rajya Sabha and fuelled speculation about possible discontent within its ranks. Observers note that discussions about internal dissatisfaction have intensified since the Assembly election results, although the party has not publicly commented on such claims.
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Reports have also suggested that additional resignations could follow in the coming days, though there has been no formal confirmation from the party leadership.
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Mallick had earlier spoken about her commitment to public service and development after entering Parliament. Her decision to step down within a relatively short period has now raised questions about her future political plans.
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The developments have placed renewed focus on the Trinamool Congress’s parliamentary strength and whether the recent wave of resignations signals a broader political realignment ahead of future electoral contests.