Rebel TMC Mps Unveil Merger Plans With Nationalist Party Unexpectedly

WHO:

Hindustan Times - 20 rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sudip Bandyopadhyay.

The Hindu - Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC's Lok Sabha floor leader.

WHAT:

Hindustan Times - The group of 20 rebel MPs announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).

The Hindu - The rebels submitted a letter to the Speaker requesting separate seating arrangements and stated they would work with the NDA.

The Hindu - The merger, if recognized, would increase the NDA's strength in the Lok Sabha from 294 to 314 members.

WHERE:

Hindustan Times - The meeting with Speaker Om Birla took place at his residence in New Delhi.

The Hindu - The NCPI is registered at Sankrail in West Bengal’s Howrah district.

WHEN:

The Hindu - The rebel MPs met the Speaker on June 14, 2026.

The Hindu - The Parliament session is set to begin in July, when the MPs plan to seek recognition as the TMC.

WHY:

Hindustan Times - The decision to merge with NCPI was made to avoid legal complications under the anti-defection law.

The Hindu - The merger was strategically chosen to retain connections with West Bengal and improve representation in the Northeast.

HOW:

Hindustan Times - The MPs submitted a formal letter to the Speaker and claimed to have the support of two-thirds of the TMC MPs.

The Hindu - The rebels opted to merge with a registered regional party rather than form a separate bloc within the TMC to comply with the anti-defection law.

(UPDATED June 15, 2026 15:07 UTC)

A group of 20 rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress, including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, has announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, a move that could boost the NDA's strength in the Lok Sabha from 294 to 314 members. They met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to request separate seating arrangements and indicated their intention to collaborate with the NDA, while also seeking recognition as the TMC during the upcoming Parliament session in July. This strategic decision was made to avoid legal issues under the anti-defection law and to enhance representation in the Northeast while maintaining ties with West Bengal.