Tripura Congress leader Pijush Kanti Biswas has resigned as chief of the party's state unit and "retired from politics", according to a short tweet posted Saturday afternoon.
Mr Biswas' resignation is yet another blow to the Congress and its attempts to reclaim power in the northeastern states, starting with Tripura which votes for a new government in two years.
As unfortunate as his stepping down is, it could become worse for the party – sources indicate Mr Biswas, who is close to former Congress leader Sushmita Dev, is likely to join the Trinamool.
"With sincere gratitude I thank all Congress leaders, supporters for your cooperation during my tenure as TPCC President (acting). Today I have resigned from the post of President and retired from politics as well. My sincere gratitude towards Sonia Gandhiji," Mr Biswas tweeted.