Amid the ongoing turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), expelled party leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Tuesday backed calls for a floor test in the West Bengal Assembly, saying it would put an end to speculation surrounding the state's shifting political equations.
"My point is that there are 80 MLAs. Let there be a floor test. Let those who are making such claims prove their numbers. We have the numbers," Banerjee said. He added that if the Speaker deemed it necessary, a floor test should be conducted to ascertain the actual strength of legislators and bring clarity to the current political uncertainty.
The remarks come amid a deepening crisis within the TMC. Earlier this month, Banerjee staked claim to the position of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, asserting support from 58 MLAs. Soon after, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar publicly expressed support for breaking away from the party, claiming that 19 other MPs were prepared to join her in backing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The rebel faction further escalated the political drama on Sunday by informing Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that 20 TMC MPs had merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a little-known political outfit formed in 2022. The move is being seen as an attempt to formalise the group's support for the NDA and could potentially mark one of the biggest defections in India's parliamentary history.
TMC Crisis: Key Developments
Speaker to hear both sides
According to reports, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will take a decision on the rebel MPs only after hearing both factions. Sources said the Speaker's office has invited the Mamata Banerjee-led group of TMC MPs for discussions before any ruling is made on the matter.
Rebels announce merger with NCPI
The 20 rebel MPs informed the Speaker that they had merged with the NCPI and would support the NDA. "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," rebel leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar reportedly said after meeting Birla.
What is NCPI?
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) was established in 2022 and last contested elections in 2023. The party currently has no elected representatives in any legislature. Before approving the merger, the Speaker is expected to verify the signatures of all 20 MPs.
TMC challenges the split
The development came shortly after TMC leaders Sagarika Ghose and Kirti Azad met Birla and submitted a letter from the party's Lok Sabha floor leader Abhishek Banerjee. The letter argued that a "split" is no longer recognised under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and maintained that the TMC remains a "single, indivisible political party."
Who are the rebel MPs?
The rebel camp includes several prominent TMC figures, including former Lok Sabha floor leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, former chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, deputy leader Shatabdi Ray, and MPs Saayoni Ghosh, June Maliah, Deepak Adhikari, Yusuf Pathan, Prasun Banerjee, Arup Chakraborty, Partha Bhowmik, Sharmila Sarkar, Mala Ray, Asit Mal, Khalilur Rehman, Abu Taher Khan, Jagadish Basunia, Kalipada Soren, Mitali Bag and Bapi Haldar.
With rival factions staking claims and the Speaker set to examine the legality of the alleged merger, the political battle within the TMC appears far from over.
