Hours after joining BJP, Sushmita Dev and 2 ex-TMC MPs fielded for Rajya Sabha bypoll

UPDATED: Jul 9, 2026 21:26 IST

The BJP on Thursday named former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MPs Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik as its candidates for the July 24 Rajya Sabha bypolls in West Bengal, days after the three leaders joined the party.

The announcement came shortly after the trio, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit the TMC last month, were formally inducted into the BJP at the party's West Bengal headquarters in Salt Lake by state president Samik Bhattacharya.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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