TMC Seeks Disqualification of 20 Rebel Lok Sabha MPs
Abhishek Banerjee tells Speaker rebels lost membership after joining NCPI
- TMC submits 20 disqualification petitions to Speaker.
- Rebels claim merger with Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
- Banerjee cites anti-defection law against rebel MPs.
- Speaker likely to decide matter before Monsoon Session.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th June: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has submitted 20 separate petitions to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking the disqualification of 20 rebel MPs who broke away from the party and claimed affiliation with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
After meeting the Speaker on Friday, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said the rebel MPs had approached the Speaker seeking recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha. He argued that under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, MPs who voluntarily give up membership of their original party are liable for disqualification.
“They were elected on the TMC symbol and are now claiming to have joined another party. Their membership should go,” Banerjee said, adding that the party has requested the Speaker to decide the petitions at the earliest.
Banerjee said demands by the rebel MPs for separate seating or recognition as a parliamentary group were secondary and alleged that they had violated the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.
The TMC leader also accused the rebels of switching sides due to pressure from central agencies and alleged misuse of institutions such as the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and Election Commission. He drew parallels with the political developments in Maharashtra, where similar disputes over party splits had emerged.
The dispute began after the rebel camp claimed that it had merged with the NCPI and sought recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc. The dissident faction has claimed support of 22 Lok Sabha MPs, with more members expected to join.
Banerjee had earlier written to the Speaker opposing any recognition to a separate TMC faction, arguing that the Constitution does not permit the formation of rival groups within an existing political party and that any valid merger requires both the merger of the political party and support from two-thirds of its legislators.
Sources said Speaker Om Birla is expected to take a decision on the petitions before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, likely to be held in the third week of July.
