On July 16, 2026, Trinamool Congress (TMC) faced a significant political setback with the resignation of its Rajya Sabha member Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick. A well-known actress in the Bengali film industry, Ms. Mallick's departure marks the fourth resignation from the party's representation in the Upper House of Parliament within a short span, intensifying the challenges facing TMC at the national level.
Ms. Mallick's resignation comes just days after three other TMC Rajya Sabha MPs-Prakash Chik Baraik, Sushmita Dev, and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy-resigned both from the Rajya Sabha and the party itself. These three former TMC parliamentarians promptly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and subsequently filed nominations on July 13, 2026, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections scheduled for July 24, 2026. Their switch to the BJP and re-nomination to the Upper House has already weakened TMC's parliamentary strength.
Rukmini Mallick, unlike the other three MPs, does not come from a traditional political background. She is the daughter of veteran Bengali actor Ranjit Mallick, who is known to be close to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. Koel Mallick was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Trinamool Congress in March 2026, when four Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal became vacant. Alongside Ms. Mallick, the party nominated former West Bengal Director General Rajeev Kumar, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, and singer-turned-politician and former Union Minister Babul Supriyo. All four took their oaths on April 6, 2026, with Ms. Mallick's term expected to last until 2032.
Despite her high-profile background and recent election to the Rajya Sabha, Ms. Mallick has not publicly commented on her resignation. Her letter of resignation, addressed to the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan, did not specify any reasons for her decision. However, soon after tendering her resignation, she was seen meeting Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav at his official residence in New Delhi, sparking speculation about her future political plans.
The resignation of Koel Mallick reduces the Trinamool Congress's strength in the Rajya Sabha from 13 MPs to 9. This decline in numbers further undermines the party's influence in the Upper House, especially as the BJP continues to consolidate its position in West Bengal and at the national level.
This series of resignations and defections is part of a broader pattern of instability within the Trinamool Congress. After the BJP's victory in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, at least 20 TMC Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Lok Sabha, led by prominent leaders Kakali Ghosh Dastidar and Shatabdi Roy, defected to the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI). These MPs have declared their support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), further eroding the Trinamool Congress's parliamentary base.
In addition to the parliamentary defections, the party is grappling with internal dissent within its West Bengal Legislative Assembly team. A faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has gained the backing of over 65 of the party's 80 MLAs. This group has announced the formation of a separate national working committee for the All India Trinamool Congress, appointing Arup Roy as chairman in place of Mamata Banerjee. This internal revolt poses a serious challenge to the leadership and unity of the party.
Amid these political upheavals, Mamata Banerjee, the chairperson of the Trinamool Congress and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, has publicly defended her nephew and party general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. Facing intense criticism and a series of legal cases, Abhishek Banerjee has been held responsible by some for the party's poor performance in the recent Assembly elections. However, on July 15, 2026, Mamata Banerjee offered a strong endorsement of her nephew, describing him as "fighting like a tiger" despite the pressures he faces. This statement is regarded as her most emphatic public show of support for Abhishek Banerjee since the internal rebellion within the party began.
Mamata Banerjee also reiterated her resolve to continue opposing the BJP, asserting that she would not give up until she succeeds in defeating the ruling party in West Bengal and beyond. Her remarks underline her determination to maintain the Trinamool Congress as a formidable political force despite the current crisis.
The recent developments reflect a period of intense political flux for the Trinamool Congress. The party's parliamentary and legislative ranks are fragmenting, with key leaders and members switching allegiances or rising in rebellion against the central leadership. The departure of Koel Mallick, a high-profile figure with considerable public appeal, adds to the sense of crisis within the TMC.
As the Rajya Sabha by-elections approach on July 24, 2026, the BJP appears poised to strengthen its hold over West Bengal's representation in the Upper House, capitalizing on the defections and resignations from the opposition. For the Trinamool Congress, the immediate challenge is to regroup and restore unity within its ranks while mounting an effective opposition to the BJP at both the state and national levels.
In summary, July 2026 has witnessed significant political turmoil for the Trinamool Congress. The resignation of Koel Mallick from the Rajya Sabha, following the earlier defections of three other MPs to the BJP, has weakened the party's presence in Parliament. Internal dissension within the TMC's legislative wing further compounds the party's difficulties. Despite these setbacks, Mamata Banerjee remains publicly defiant and supportive of her close aides, vowing to continue the fight against the BJP and preserve the party's political relevance. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how the Trinamool Congress navigates this period of instability and whether it can reclaim its standing in West Bengal and on the national stage.