Abhishek Banerjee seeks disqualification of 20 rebel TMC MPs at Lok Sabha Speaker meeting
Synopsis
Abhishek Banerjee has taken the TMC's internal revolt to the highest parliamentary authority — filing 20 disqualification petitions before the Lok Sabha Speaker against rebels who jumped to a Tripura-based party. With 20 of TMC's 27 Lok Sabha MPs now in the NCPI camp, the constitutional battle over the 10th Schedule could redraw the party's parliamentary future.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Banerjee led a 4-member TMC delegation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 19 June .
The delegation filed 20 separate disqualification petitions against rebel MPs who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) .
The petitions invoke the 10th Schedule of the Constitution , citing voluntary relinquishment of party membership.
The rebellion was led by four-time MPs Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy .
TMC currently holds 27 Lok Sabha seats ; the Basirhat seat remains vacant after the death of MP Haji Sk.
Nurul Islam in September 2024 .
The disqualification decision rests with Speaker Om Birla under anti-defection law.
All India Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday, 19 June led a four-member parliamentary delegation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, submitting 20 separate petitions seeking the disqualification of rebel party MPs who defected to the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The move marks a sharp escalation in the intra-party crisis gripping the TMC's Lok Sabha contingent.
What the Delegation Demanded
The TMC delegation comprised three Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Abhishek Banerjee — nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — said the petitions invoke the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, which provides that any elected representative who voluntarily gives up membership of the party on whose ticket they were elected becomes automatically liable for disqualification.
'Their actions are unconstitutional and require immediate action. If they have a problem with Trinamool, they are free to quit the party. But at the same time, they should also resign as Lok Sabha members and face fresh elections as is warranted in democracy,' Banerjee said.
The Constitutional Argument
The TMC delegation also argued before the Speaker that the constitutional provisions governing a merger by two-thirds of members apply to a political party as a whole — not merely its legislative or parliamentary wing. This is a critical distinction: if the rebels cannot claim a valid merger under the anti-defection law, each of the 20 MPs could face individual disqualification proceedings.
Banerjee questioned how MPs elected on a Trinamool ticket could independently decide to join the NCPI and simultaneously retain their Lok Sabha membership — framing the defection as a direct violation of the voter's mandate.
Who Led the Revolt
The rebellion was spearheaded by four-time legislators Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy, who initially declared themselves rebels within the TMC's majority bloc in the Lok Sabha. Earlier this month, the group formally announced its decision to join the NCPI, a Tripura-based outfit, triggering the disqualification petitions filed on Friday.
TMC's Strength in Lok Sabha
The defection has significantly weakened TMC's parliamentary position. The party currently holds 27 seats in the Lok Sabha. The Basirhat constituency in North 24 Parganas district remains vacant following the death of TMC MP Haji Sk. Nurul Islam in September 2024, just months after the general election. With 20 of those 27 MPs now aligned with the NCPI, the TMC's effective parliamentary strength is under serious strain.
What Happens Next
The decision on disqualification rests with Speaker Om Birla, who is constitutionally empowered to adjudicate anti-defection petitions under the 10th Schedule. There is no fixed timeline for a ruling, and such cases have historically stretched over months. The outcome will determine whether the rebels can continue as Lok Sabha members or must seek fresh mandates from voters.
Point of View
And the Speaker's office — occupied by a ruling-coalition nominee — is unlikely to move swiftly on a petition filed by an opposition party. More critically, the rebels' claim that they constitute a merger under the 10th Schedule's two-thirds provision will be the central legal battleground. If the Speaker rules in the rebels' favour, or simply sits on the petitions, the TMC loses not just 20 MPs but also the credibility of its anti-defection argument. The real question this episode surfaces is structural: how did a party that swept West Bengal lose 20 of 27 Lok Sabha members to a fringe Tripura-based outfit, and what does that say about the TMC's internal cohesion outside its home state?
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abhishek Banerjee meet the Lok Sabha Speaker on 19 June?
Abhishek Banerjee led a TMC delegation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to file 20 disqualification petitions against rebel party MPs who defected to the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The TMC argues the defection violates the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
Who are the rebel TMC MPs facing disqualification?
The 20 rebel MPs were led by four-time legislators Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy. They initially declared themselves rebels within the TMC's Lok Sabha bloc before formally announcing their decision to join the NCPI earlier in June.
What is the 10th Schedule and how does it apply here?
The 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, also known as the anti-defection law, provides that an elected member who voluntarily gives up party membership becomes liable for disqualification. The TMC argues the rebels triggered this clause by joining the NCPI after being elected on a Trinamool ticket.
How many Lok Sabha seats does TMC currently hold?
TMC holds 27 seats in the Lok Sabha. The Basirhat seat in North 24 Parganas has remained vacant since the death of MP Haji Sk. Nurul Islam in September 2024, shortly after the general election.
What happens next in the disqualification process?
The decision rests with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is constitutionally empowered to adjudicate anti-defection petitions. There is no fixed timeline, and such proceedings have historically taken months to conclude.
