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Trinamool Congress (TMC) President Mamata Banerjee suffered two major setbacks in two days. MLA Madan Mitra resigned on Wednesday and Rajya Sabha MP Rukmini Malik on Thursday. While Madan Mitra has joined the TMC’s rebel faction, Rukmini has met with BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav. It is believed that Rukmini may join the BJP.

This is former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s first reaction after Rukmini’s resignation. She said, “I appeal to all leaders who are succumbing to pressure to switch sides… to do so before July 21st. Don’t defame our party.” The TMC is preparing for a “Martyrs’ Day” rally on July 21st.

In fact, in 1993, during the Left Front government in Bengal, police opened fire during a protest. Thirteen Youth Congress workers were killed in the incident. The TMC celebrates “Martyrs’ Day” in their memory.

Reacting to Rukmini Malik’s resignation, Mamata Banerjee said, “I met with an MP. I respect her. She had already informed me via email. Today she met with a BJP leader. Those under pressure can make whatever decision they want and go wherever they want before July 21st, Martyrs’ Day. Our Constitution gives us the right to act as we please.”

Rukmini Malik, also known as Koyal Malik, met with Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday and submitted her resignation. The number of TMC MPs in the Rajya Sabha has now been reduced to nine. Koyal Malik, an actor-turned-politician, took oath as a Rajya Sabha member in March this year.

Koyal is the fourth Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP to resign. Three other Rajya Sabha MPs have already resigned and joined the BJP. All three have been nominated by the BJP for their own vacant seats. No nominations have yet been filed against them. If no nominations are filed by Friday afternoon, these three leaders will become Rajya Sabha members unopposed for the second time.