Derek O'Brien (politician)

Derek O'Brien
Official portrait, 2019
Leader of Trinamool Congress in Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 August 2011 (2011-08-19)
Appointed byMamata Banerjee
Preceded byMukul Roy
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 August 2011 (2011-08-19)
Preceded byArjun Kumar Sengupta
ConstituencyWest Bengal
National joint general Secretary of All India Trinamool Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 June 2026
Serving with Dola Sen
ChairpersonMamata Banerjee
Personal details
Born (1961-03-13) 13 March 1961
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
PartyAll India Trinamool Congress
Spouses
  • Rila Banerjee
    ​
    (m. 1991)​
    [1]
  • Tonuca Basu
    ​
    (m. 2006)​
Children1
Parents
Alma mater
Occupation
Websitewww.derek.in

Derek O'Brien (born 13 March 1961) is an Indian politician, television personality, quizmaster, and author.[2][3][4][5] He is now the National Joint Secretary of All India Trinamool Congress. He has been elected three times as Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha. He represents Bengal in Parliament and serves as the Parliamentary Party Leader of the third largest party in Parliament, the All India Trinamool Congress.[6][7][8]

In 2012, he represented India and addressed the United Nations General Assembly. He was awarded ‘Parliamentarian Of The Year’ in 2023.

He has addressed students at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, IIMs, IITs and various other premier institutions across India and globally.

For three years in a row (2001-03)[9] he was conferred the Best Anchor award by the Indian Television Academy. He hosted shows, including the Bournvita Quiz Contest.[10]

He is a celebrated author, having authored more than fifty bestselling reference, quiz, and school textbooks.

He is the first and only member of the Anglo-Indian community to be elected to Parliament.

Personal background

O'Brien, whose mother tongue is English, is based in Kolkata and speaks, reads and writes equally fluently in Bengali.

O'Brien went to St. Xavier's Collegiate School in Kolkata and, for a short period, St. Columba's School in Delhi, and then spent two years at Scottish Church College, Kolkata.[11] O'Brien is the eldest of three sons of Joyce and Neil O'Brien (1934–2016).[11] Neil O'Brien worked and retired as the chairman and managing director of Oxford University Press India as well as leading the Anglo-Indian community for two decades.[12]

He is married to Tonuca Basu, who is practising medicine in Brooklyn, New York. He was earlier married to Rila Banerjee[13] and the couple has a daughter, Aanya.[14]

Professional and quizzing career

O'Brien began his career as a trainee journalist at Sportsworld before joining the advertising agency Ogilvy, where he became creative director for its Delhi and Kolkata offices.[15] O'Brien hosted quiz programmes including the Bata North Star Quiz and the Maggi Quiz for Schools.[16] He later entered corporate quizzing through the Economic Times Brand Equity Quiz.[16] In 1991, he left Ogilvy and founded Big Ideas, later renamed Derek O'Brien & Associates.[16]

In 2008, O'Brien travelled to Pakistan to film a quiz programme.[17]

During a 2016 visit to the United States, O'Brien said that he had lectured at the Harvard Kennedy School[18] and had conducted interactive sessions at Yale, Columbia, several Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institutes of Technology, and the National Law School of India University.[19] He addressed students at IIM Calcutta in 2014[20] and participated in the SRCC Business Conclave in 2016.[21]

He has served as president of the Dalhousie Institute Club.[22]

Political career

O'Brien joined the Trinamool Congress in 2004, when the party was still in opposition in West Bengal.[23] He later wrote that he was drawn to the charisma and personality of the Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, and felt she was the only one who could defeat the then CPI(M)-led government in the state.[24][25]

Spokesperson for the Trinamool Congress

In 2015, O'Brien was appointed as the Chief National Spokesperson for the Trinamool Congress[26] He came to national media attention during Mamata Banerjee's protest against the CPI(M) government's land acquisition attempt in Singur (2006) and then in the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha election, in which Trinamool Congress handed the CPI(M) its first defeat in West Bengal since 1977.[24][25] He pioneered his party's social media outreach.[27][28]

In 2011, following the Trinamool Congress victory in the West Bengal assembly election, O'Brien was elected to the Rajya Sabha.[29][30]

First term in Rajya Sabha

He was sworn in as Member of Parliament on 19 August 2011 [31] and is one of 16 MPs elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.[32] In 2012, Trinamool Congress named him as its Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha.[33]

In 2012, O'Brien cast a vote in the presidential election to elect the 13th President of India. His vote is believed to be the first presidential vote cast by an elected member of the Anglo-Indian community—as members of the community have previously been nominated to the Lok Sabha and other assemblies and are not eligible to vote.[34]

In 2012, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly as a member of the Indian parliamentary delegation.[35]

Parliamentary Committees

He was the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture from September 1, 2017, to September 12, 2019. Presently, he serves as a member of the following key parliamentary committees: the General Purposes Committee, the Business Advisory Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Transport, Tourism and Culture Committee, and the Human Resource Development Committee.[36][37] He served on the Railway Convention Committee [38][25] and has also been a member of parliamentary select (specific issue) committees [39] on the Goods and Services Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill,[40] the Insurance Bill,[41] the Land Acquisition Bill,[42] the Citizenship Act Amendment Bill.[43] He has spoken in Parliament on a range of issues, from demonetisation,[44] to net neutrality,[45][46] Jammu and Kashmir,[47] railways[48] and juvenile justice,[49] and participated in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President of India's address to Parliament.[50]

Second term in Rajya Sabha

His second term as an MP of the Rajya Sabha began on 19 August 2017[51] and ended on 18 August 2023.[52]

On 20 September 2020, when the Farm Reform Bill was placed in the Rajya Sabha for passage,[53] Derek O'Brien protested, and along with other members allegedly heckled the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh. Media verifiable sources mention that the House was in complete chaos and unrest to protest the bill.[54] This chaos led to the 10-minute suspension of the House.[54][55] Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs sought his suspension, along with some other members, as a consequence for his actions under rule 256 of procedure and conduct of business. He along with eight other MPs were suspended for one week on account of their unruly and unparliamentary behaviour.[56]

Parliamentary Committees

He was a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.[57] On 6 January 2022 he wrote to Anand Sharma, head of the committee, to discuss the alleged app "Tek Fog" that "has serious ramifications and could jeopardise national security.". He wrote, "This application is capable of penetrating encrypted messaging platforms and secure social media conversations in order to heavily manipulate and exploit narratives on said platforms."[58][59] The app was later debunked as non-existent and The Wire, which had published the news first, took down their article, fired the journalist responsible and published an apology.[60][61]

Author

O'Brien has written books on quizzing and parliamentary politics. His book Inside Parliament: Views from the Front Row was reviewed by The Hindu.[62] In 2026, he published Politics, Policy and Predictions: Views from the Front Row of Parliament.[63]

Election History

Rajya Sabha

Position Party Constituency From To Tenure
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(1st Term)		 AITC West Bengal 19 August
2011		 18 August
2017		 15 years, 7 days
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(2nd Term)		 19 August
2017		 18 August
2023
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(3rd Term)		 19 August
2023		 18 August
2029

References

  1. ↑ "Dad's hobby is my profession: Derek O' Brien". The Times of India. 26 October 2002. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ↑ বসু, ঋজু. "বাংলাতেই ভরসা, জানাল বই-আড্ডা". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  5. ↑ "Derek O Brien Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history". www.elections.in. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 30 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Derek O'Brien appointed Trinamool Congress chief national spokesperson". The Economic Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  9. ↑ 30K views · 123 reactions | Derek O'brien won 🏆 the best anchor ITA Awards 2003 #ITAAwards #fbreels #reels #ita2003 #bournvitaquizcontest | Indian Television Academy. Retrieved 29 June 2026 – via www.facebook.com.
  10. ↑ The Indian Express (17 July 2023). "Jaishankar, O'Brien among 11 elected to Rajya Sabha uncontested". Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  11. 1 2 "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  12. ↑ Agencies. "Neil O'Brien, India's first quizmaster, dies". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Celebrating Women Power by Derek O'Brien". All India Trinamool Congress. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  14. ↑ "DEREK". Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  15. ↑ Gupta, Gargi (9 August 2008). "Let's get quizzical". Business Standard.
  16. 1 2 3 "Derek O'Brien". The Economic Times.
  17. ↑ "Derek O'Brien to quiz Pak children". NDTV. 12 April 2008.
  18. ↑ "Harvard University keen on inviting Mamata: O Brien". Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  19. ↑ "Harvard University keen on inviting Mamata: O' Brien". The Indian Express. 31 October 2016.
  20. ↑ "Making Knowledge Interesting to People – Derek O'Brien's Mission Statement". InsideIIM. 8 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "Day 3 of SRCC Business Conclave 2016 ends with Adi Godrej and Rajat Sharma". DU Beat. 6 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "DI has a lady Prez". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  24. 1 2 "Opinion: Why I Cannot Discuss The CPI(M) Calmly". NDTV.com. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  25. 1 2 3 "DEREK". derek.in. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Derek O'Brien: Latest Derek O'Brien News, Designation, Education, Net worth, Assets | The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  27. ↑ "Maa Mati Manush :: M3 Leads - Election campaign on social media". www.maamatimanush.tv. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "Election #2014: As cyber war rooms get battle-ready, BJP and Congress are reaching out to a new constituency spread across social media 18022013". m.indiatoday.in. 30 November 1999. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  29. ↑ "BRAND BENGAL". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  30. ↑ "Elected Representatives : All India Trinamool Congress". aitcofficial.org. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  31. ↑ Yechury, Ahmed Patel take oath in Rajya Sabha
  32. ↑ "All India Trinamool Congress :: Elected Representatives". Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  33. ↑ "Derek O'Brien is TMC Chief Whip in Rajya Sabha". www.indianexpress.com. 3 August 2012.
  34. ↑ President poll: Derek O' Brien first Anglo-Indian to vote, IBN Live, 19 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "Derek O'Brien shares UN experience with students - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  36. ↑ "Derek O Brien Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history". www.elections.in. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  37. ↑ "Rajya Sabha-Membership of Parliamentary Committees". 164.100.47.5. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  38. ↑ Rajya Sabha TV (9 August 2016), Sh. Derek O'Brien's comments on a resolution approving recommendations of Railway Convention Comm., retrieved 15 March 2017
  39. ↑ "Rajya Sabha-Membership of Parliamentary Committees". 164.100.47.5. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  40. ↑ Derek O'Brien (17 August 2016), Derek O'Brien makes a point of order in RS on GST Bill, retrieved 15 March 2017
  41. ↑ "Insurance Bill" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  42. ↑ "Derek O'Brien speaks on Land Acquisition Bill, 2013 : All India Trinamool Congress". aitcofficial.org. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  43. ↑ "Citizenship Act Amendment Bill". The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Demonetisation: Derek O'Brien hits out at government, says anybody who opposes the move is not anti-national". The Financial Express. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  45. ↑ "Derek O'Brien calls attention of the IT Minister at Rajya Sabha on Net Neutrality | Full Transcript : All India Trinamool Congress". aitcofficial.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  46. ↑ "Will Keep Fighting For Net Neutrality, Says Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  47. ↑ "Comments on JK" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  48. ↑ "Derek O'Brien speaks on FDI in Railways and Defense | Transcript : All India Trinamool Congress". aitcofficial.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  49. ↑ "Justice bill" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  50. ↑ "Trinamool's Derek O'Brien speaks on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address : All India Trinamool Congress". aitcofficial.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  51. ↑ "Derek O Brien". PRS. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  52. ↑ "Alphabetical List of Rajya Sabha Members". 164.100.47.5. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  53. ↑ "Trinamool's Derek O'Brien Tries To Tear Rule Book During Farm Bill Debate". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  54. 1 2 "Trinamool's Derek O'Brien Tries To Tear Rule Book During Farm Bill Debate". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  55. ↑ "If govt had the numbers, why didn't they allow the vote to happen: Derek". The Indian Express. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  56. ↑ "Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien Suspended From Parliament". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  57. ↑ "Parliament Panels Reconstituted, Congress Leaders Retained As Chairmen". NDTV.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  58. ↑ "'Could Jeopardise National Security': Derek O'Brien Wants Standing Committee To Discuss 'Tek Fog'". The Wire. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  59. ↑ "A prominent Indian independent news site destroys its own credibility". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  60. ↑ "The Wire Editorial: To Our Readers, an Apology and a Promise". The Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  61. ↑ Staff, Scroll (30 October 2022). "'The Wire' files police complaint against researcher Devesh Kumar over Meta articles". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  62. ↑ Gupta, Smita (13 January 2018). "Inside Parliament: Views from the Front Row review: Crossing the floor". The Hindu.
  63. ↑ "Book Excerpt: 'Politics, Policy And Predictions', By Derek O'Brien". Outlook India. 16 April 2026.
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