Pavan Varma, Ex-Aide Of Nitish Kumar, Quits TMC After 10 Months

The diplomat-turned-politician had joined the Trinamool Congress in November last year.

Former TMC leader Pavan K Varma

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Ten months after joining Trinamool Congress, Pavan K Varma, a former aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, tendered his resignation to party president Mamata Banerjee on Friday. The diplomat-turned-politician had joined the Trinamool Congress in November last year, saying it was the need of the hour to work toward strengthening the Opposition.

"Please accept my resignation from AITC. I want to thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me, and for your affection and courtesies. I look forward to remaining in touch. Wishing you all the best, and with warm regards," Varma, a former JD(U) MP, tweeted.

Varma and poll strategist Prashant Kishor were expelled from the JD(U) in 2020 after they opposed the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.

Varma had joined TMC in November 2021 when Mamata Banerjee visited New Delhi. Amonth later, he was appointed as the party's national vice president. Two other leaders Kirti Azad and Ashok Tanwar had joined TMC along with him.

The joinings were then seen as an important development for Bengal's ruling party in its effort to make a footprint in national politics. Varma had then described Banerjee as the frontrunner in leading the opposition forces against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Besides being a former Rajya Sabha member, Varma has served as Indian Ambassador to Cyprus and Bhutan. He was also the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He was also the chief advisor to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during his days with the JD(U).

With Nitish Kumar now severing his ties with the BJP and joining hands with the Grand Alliance, speculations are rife that Varma might re-establish his old ties with the JD(U), IANS reported.

Varma has also authored several books, including translations of poems penned by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gulzar, and is a recipient of Bhutan's highest civilian award -- Druk Thuksey Award.