Key Facts
In a major political development, 20 rebel MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a little-known Tripura-based party. The move strengthens the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and sets the stage for one of the largest defections in India's parliamentary history. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has invited the faction loyal to Mamata Banerjee for a hearing before taking a final decision.
Details of the Merger
The rebel MPs, including heavyweights like Jadavpur MP Saayoni Ghosh and former TMC Lok Sabha floor leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, met Speaker Om Birla on Sunday and submitted a letter stating their merger with the NCPI. The NCPI, formed in 2022 and last contested elections in 2023, currently has no elected representatives. Rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said, “We, 20 MPs, have now merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party and will work with the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.”
Speaker's Decision Pending
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will verify the signatures of the 20 MPs before approving the merger. Sources indicate that the Speaker's office has also emailed the group of TMC MPs led by Mamata Banerjee, calling them for a meeting. Only after hearing both sides will the Speaker decide on the merger.
Mamata Banerjee's Faction Objects
Hours before the rebels' meeting, TMC loyalists Sagarika Ghose and Kirti Azad met Birla and handed over a letter from TMC Lok Sabha floor leader Abhishek Banerjee. The letter argued that a “split is no longer available under the Tenth Schedule” and that the TMC is “a single, indivisible political party.” The loyalist faction maintains that the merger does not meet the legal requirements for defection.
List of Rebel MPs
The 20 rebel MPs include: Sudip Bandopadhyay, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Shatabdi Ray, Deepak Adhikari, Saayoni Ghosh, June Maliah, Arup Chakraborty, Partha Bhowmik, Yusuf Pathan, Sharmila Sarkar, Mala Ray, Prasun Banerjee, Asit Mal, Khalilur Rehman, Abu Taher Khan, Jagadish Basunia, Kalipada Soren, Mitali Bag, Bapi Haldar, and Khalilur Rehman.
Impact on West Bengal Politics
The rebellion comes after TMC's crushing defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections, where the BJP formed its first government in West Bengal. Earlier, 58 MLAs had broken away to support Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition. The crisis has left Mamata Banerjee struggling to keep the party intact.
What Readers Should Know
- The merger requires Speaker's approval under the anti-defection law.
- The NCPI is a small party with no current MPs, making the merger unusual.
- The TMC loyalists argue that the Tenth Schedule does not permit a split, only a merger by two-thirds of the party.
FAQ
How many TMC MPs have rebelled?
20 TMC MPs have rebelled and merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
What is the NCPI?
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) is a Tripura-based party formed in 2022, currently without any elected lawmakers.
What does the anti-defection law say?
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution allows a merger if at least two-thirds of a party's legislators merge with another party. The TMC loyalists argue that a split is no longer available under the law.
What is the next step?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will verify the signatures of the 20 MPs and hear both sides before making a decision on the merger.