Abhishek Banerjee Moves to Disqualify 20 Rebel TMC MPs Amid Internal Strife

In a significant political move, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee has formally petitioned Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to disqualify 20 rebel Members of Parliament (MPs) from the party. This demand comes on the heels of increasing tensions within the TMC, especially following its defeat in the recent Assembly elections in May.

During his meeting with Speaker Birla, Banerjee underscored that the provisions outlined in the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution clearly state that any MP who voluntarily resigns from their political party should be disqualified from their position. “If the members have been elected on a party symbol and are now claiming allegiance to a different party after two years, their membership should be revoked immediately,” he asserted to reporters, emphasizing the constitutional mandate.

The backdrop of this political maneuvering is the TMC’s ongoing struggles with dissent and factionalism. Reports have emerged suggesting that 20 out of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs are planning to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party, a party based in Tripura, and lend their support to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament. This potential shift has raised serious concerns within the TMC leadership about loyalty and unity.

Highlighting the implications of this rebellion, TMC leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had previously indicated that the dissenting MPs are seeking to align themselves with the BJP, marking a significant political realignment. In response to these developments, Banerjee pointed out that any merger would only be valid if a minimum of two-thirds of a party—rather than a mere legislature party—were to join forces with another political entity. He urged, “If these rebel MPs have any sense of integrity, they should step down from their positions as MPs and face the electorate.”

The political landscape in West Bengal continues to evolve as the TMC grapples with its identity and cohesion after electoral setbacks. The division within the party not only reflects internal conflicts but also the broader challenges that regional parties face in the current political climate dominated by national narratives. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how the TMC navigates this crisis and what consequences it may have on its future in Indian politics.

Source: scroll.in