The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday nominated former Congress leader Sushmita Dev to the Rajya Sabha. Bypolls to six Rajya Sabha seats in five states, which have fallen vacant due to the resignation or death of a sitting MP, will be held on October 4.
“We are extremely happy to nominate @SushmitaDevAITC to the Upper House of the Parliament. @MamataOfficial’s vision of empowering women and ensuring their maximum participation in politics will help our society achieve more! The party tweeted.
Dev, who party workers said was in disbelief when the nominations were announced, said, “What are you saying? I am overwhelmed. I am extremely grateful to Mamta di and Abhishek (Banerjee). I don’t know if I deserve it or not, but I will try my best to take forward the vision of the party. Good to see that she wants more women in Parliament.
It has been only a month since Dev left Congress and joined TMC. She had earlier said that she would take up any responsibility given to her by the TMC and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
According to political analysts, Dev has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha as she was campaigning in Assam and Tripura with the aim of expanding the party’s cadre and influence in the Northeast.
Another factor is the TMC’s national ambition to topple the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With Dev being the former Congress spokesperson and chief of the All India Mahila Congress, the TMC hopes that she can soon represent the party at the national level under Abhishek Banerjee. Also, TMC is more vocal about representation of women in Parliament, where Dev Anubhav will come in handy.
According to sources, Dev was reportedly expecting such a coveted post from his previous Congress party. Now that TMC has nominated him for the Rajya Sabha by-election, this will strengthen his position in the corridors of power.
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