Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Prakash Chik Baraik have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata. This development is seen as a setback for TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has defended its decision to induct the former TMC MPs, and it appears that at least some of them may be fielded by the BJP in upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls.