​​​​​​​Kolkata, July 9: Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, weeks after resigning from both the Upper House and the TMC.

The three leaders were inducted into the BJP at the party's Salt Lake office in Kolkata in the presence of West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.

Welcoming the new entrants, Bhattacharya said the leaders had expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He criticised the governance of successive Left Front and TMC governments in West Bengal, alleging that their confrontational approach towards the Centre had hindered the state's development.

"For 34 years, there was the rule of the Left Front, followed by the Trinamool Congress. Instead of cooperative federalism, a politics of confrontation prevailed, which stalled development. Against this backdrop, and placing their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, these three Members of Parliament resigned from the Trinamool Congress and have now joined the BJP," Bhattacharya said.

Describing the former MPs as experienced parliamentarians, he said their contributions in the Rajya Sabha were widely recognised. He also welcomed them into the party on behalf of the BJP's state leadership and workers.

The development follows the recent resignations of the three leaders from the Rajya Sabha and the TMC.

Prakash Chik Baraik, after stepping down from the Upper House, had said his decision was taken after considering the views of the people of West Bengal. At the time, when asked about his political future, he said, "Time will tell," adding that he would announce his next course of action at an appropriate time. He also maintained that he had no personal grievance against TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.

Sushmita Dev resigned from the Rajya Sabha and the TMC last month, citing political and personal reasons. She had stated that she wished to focus on working in Assam.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, while announcing his resignation, accused the TMC government of widespread corruption and alleged failures in governance, including in the areas of women's safety, healthcare, education, industry, law and order, and employment.

The defections are seen as another political setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, which has been dealing with internal dissent in both the West Bengal Assembly and Parliament.