TMC rebel MPs approach Lok Sabha Speaker to join Tripura's NCPI, back NDA
Synopsis
In a dramatic political rupture, more than 20 Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MPs have formally moved to join the little-known Tripura-based NCPI and back the NDA — a calculated manoeuvre that could shield them from anti-defection action while dealing a significant blow to Mamata Banerjee's parliamentary strength.
Key Takeaways
Over 20 rebel TMC MPs submitted a resolution to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 14 June to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) .
The rebel bloc is led by four-time MPs Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy , who confirmed support for the NDA .
The NCPI , founded in 2022 , has offices in Assam , Tripura , and West Bengal ; new offices are to be opened across West Bengal.
TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote to the Speaker opposing recognition of any rebel bloc within the party.
Since reportedly more than two-thirds of TMC's 27 Lok Sabha MPs have turned rebel, the anti-defection law may not apply to them.
The Basirhat seat remains vacant since September 2024 following the death of MP Haji Sk.
Over 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs in the Lok Sabha formally approached Speaker Om Birla on Sunday, 14 June, submitting a resolution to join the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extend support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The rebel bloc, led by four-time Lok Sabha members Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy, abandoned earlier plans to form a separate parliamentary group within the TMC, opting instead to merge with the relatively lesser-known NCPI.
Key Developments
Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar confirmed the decision, stating: 'We will work with the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the interest of the country.' Arup Chakraborty, TMC Lok Sabha member from Bankura, added that the NCPI would establish offices across West Bengal as part of the realignment.
The NCPI, founded in 2022, currently operates out of Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal, including an office in Bankra in Howrah district adjoining Kolkata.
What Prompted the Move
The rebel camp had initially signalled it would create a separate bloc within the TMC in the Lok Sabha — mirroring an arrangement already in place in the West Bengal Assembly — before approaching the NDA for support. That plan was shelved in favour of a direct merger with the NCPI.
Political observers note that joining an existing registered party en bloc offers the rebels a legal shield: since more than two-thirds of the TMC's Lok Sabha contingent has turned rebel, the provisions of the anti-defection law may not apply to them under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
This comes amid speculation that TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was considering merging her party with the Indian National Congress (INC) — a prospect that reportedly accelerated the rebels' decision to act.
TMC's Counter-Move
TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee moved swiftly to counter the rebellion, writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the same day. In his letter, Banerjee urged the Speaker not to grant recognition to any new bloc formed within the TMC, arguing that elected party MPs cannot function independently of the policy decisions of the party they represent.
Current Parliamentary Arithmetic
The Trinamool Congress currently holds 27 seats in the Lok Sabha. One seat — Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district — has been vacant since September 2024, following the death of MP Haji Sk. Nurul Islam just months after his election. With reportedly more than two-thirds of the parliamentary party now in the rebel camp, the political and legal implications of this split are expected to unfold in the days ahead.
Point of View
And they appear to have cleared that bar, potentially immunising themselves from disqualification. What is striking is the choice of vehicle: the NCPI is a near-invisible party outside Tripura, which suggests the merger is a procedural wrapper rather than an ideological shift. The real story is what this does to Mamata Banerjee's national ambitions — losing two-thirds of her Lok Sabha presence strips the TMC of parliamentary relevance and bargaining power at the Centre, regardless of how strong she remains in West Bengal. Abhishek Banerjee's swift counter-letter signals the party knows the stakes, but the legal clock is already ticking.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are TMC MPs joining the NCPI instead of forming their own bloc?
The rebel MPs chose to join the NCPI to potentially sidestep the anti-defection law. Under the Tenth Schedule, a merger is valid if at least two-thirds of a party's legislators join another party, which the rebel camp reportedly meets — making a direct merger legally safer than forming a separate group.
What is the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI)?
The NCPI is a Tripura-based political party founded in 2022, with offices in Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal, including a presence in Bankra, Howrah. It is a relatively lesser-known outfit that the TMC rebels have chosen as their new political home.
Who is leading the TMC rebel camp in the Lok Sabha?
The rebel bloc is led by Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Satabdi Roy, both four-time Lok Sabha members. Arup Chakraborty, TMC MP from Bankura, also confirmed the development and announced plans to expand NCPI offices across West Bengal.
How has the Trinamool Congress responded to the rebellion?
TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging him not to grant recognition to any rebel bloc within the party, arguing that MPs cannot act independently of their party's policy decisions.
How many seats does the TMC currently hold in the Lok Sabha?
The Trinamool Congress holds 27 Lok Sabha seats, with one — Basirhat in North 24 Parganas — vacant since September 2024 following the death of MP Haji Sk. Nurul Islam. With over 20 MPs in the rebel camp, the party's effective parliamentary strength is significantly diminished.
