'Will work under PM Modi': Rebel TMC MPs to merge with NCPI, back NDA in major political shift

The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress deepened on Sunday after rebel MPs declared their decision to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extend support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

The announcement came after representatives of the dissident camp met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and submitted a request seeking separate seating arrangements in the Lower House.

Rebel MPs seek separate identity in Parliament

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said 20 MPs from the faction had met the Speaker and sought separate seating.

“We, the twenty MPs elected from the AITC, met the Speaker and submitted a letter requesting to sit separately; these twenty MPs constitute more than two-thirds of our total strength. We are merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party. Moving forward, we will work for the nation and collaborate with the NDA under the leadership of the Prime Minister," she told reporters.

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Earlier in the day, Dastidar claimed that the dissident group had the support of 22 Lok Sabha MPs and was preparing to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group.

The faction had previously submitted a letter to the Speaker seeking recognition under Dastidar's leadership, while a document carrying the signatures of 19 TMC MPs surfaced on Friday.

Rebel MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay also confirmed the proposed merger with the NCPI and outlined the group's future plans.

“We will merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party… It is a regional party. This is the system. When you leave with 2/3rd of the party, you cannot demand the name of that party on the first day itself… In July, we will make a demand to give us Trinamool since we have 2/3rd majority from Trinamool. Then the court will decide…," he told reporters.

Meeting held ahead of Speaker interaction

Before meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker, members of the dissident camp gathered at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi.

Among those present were Satabdi Roy, Saayoni Ghosh, Mala Roy, Bapi Halder and Prasun Banerjee. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey was also seen at Yadav's residence.

Turmoil intensifies within TMC

The developments mark a fresh escalation in the turmoil that has gripped the TMC following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Over the past week, several MPs have publicly distanced themselves from the party leadership and signalled support for the NDA government at the Centre.

According to sources, the proposed merger with the NCPI could help the dissident MPs navigate the technical and legal challenges involved in forming a separate parliamentary group.