India, June 11 -- The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plunged deeper into political turmoil on Thursday as Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from both the Upper House and the party. Baraik is the third TMC parliamentarian to exit this week, severely compounding the challenges facing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's leadership.

Baraik met with Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to submit his resignation, citing the mandate given to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by the people of West Bengal as the catalyst for his decision.

In his official letter, Baraik reportedly wrote: "I do hereby resign from the membership of Rajya Sabha, which may please be accepted with immediate effect." He further expressed his gratitude to t...