Rebel TMC MPs Merge with NCPI, Igniting Political Storm in Bengal

Kolkata, India – A significant political upheaval unfolded on Sunday, June 14, 2026, as 20 dissident Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) formally announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). This dramatic development, confirmed by rebel leaders, saw the faction approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi to submit a letter detailing their decision and requesting separate seating arrangements within the parliamentary house.

The move is widely perceived as a calculated strategy to circumvent the stringent provisions of India's anti-defection law. With 20 out of the TMC's 28 Lok Sabha MPs joining the NCPI, the rebel group asserts that it constitutes more than two-thirds of the original party's parliamentary strength, thereby enabling a legitimate merger without facing disqualification. This interpretation of the law, which mandates that a merger of two-thirds of a party's legislators with another avoids disqualification for both groups, is central to the rebels' gambit.

Leading figures in the dissenting camp, including prominent MPs Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, confirmed their commitment to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Ms. Dastidar explicitly stated, 'We are going to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party and support the NDA.' She further added, 'We will now be part of the NDA and work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.' Other notable MPs joining the rebellion include Saayoni Ghosh, Dev, Rachana Banerjee, Mala Roy, Satabdi Roy, Arup Chakraborty, and Yusuf Pathan, indicating a broad-based defection within the party's parliamentary wing.

The Trinamool Congress reacted with immediate and fierce condemnation, labeling the merger as 'ridiculous' and accusing the defecting MPs of 'betrayal.' Senior TMC leader Sougata Roy publicly questioned the political relevance of the NCPI, describing it as a 'registered but unrecognised party based in Tripura,' and challenged the rebel lawmakers to explain their decision to their constituents. Roy suggested that the merger route was chosen because parliamentary rules do not permit the recognition of a separate faction within an existing political party, implying an ulterior motive to appease 'BJP masters.'

In a direct countermove, Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC's Lok Sabha parliamentary party leader, dispatched a letter to Speaker Om Birla. In his communication, Mr. Banerjee urged the Speaker not to grant any 'recognition, status or facility' to any rebel factions, firmly asserting that 'the Constitution and anti-defection law do not permit the formation of a separate group within an existing political party.' This highlights the legal battle brewing over the legitimacy of the merger and the future of the parliamentary group.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while acknowledging the development, offered a mixed response. BJP spokesperson Sayantan Basu described the exodus as a clear indication of 'deepening unrest' and an 'ideological vacuum' within the TMC, suggesting that the party's leadership should engage in introspection rather than external blame. However, Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and Union Minister Shantanu Thakur maintained that the BJP's doors were closed to TMC defectors, emphasizing that the 'BJP is driven by ideology. It is not a hotel where one can check in and check out at will.' Despite these public statements, some rebel MPs had reportedly met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, indicating ongoing communication channels. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar downplayed these meetings, stating that BJP leaders are 'approachable.' BJP General Secretary Locket Chatterjee remarked that the Trinamool Congress had been 'reduced to a symbol' now, underscoring the perceived collapse of its internal structure.

The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), the recipient of this significant defection, is a relatively obscure entity. Election Commission records indicate it was registered as a 'Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP)' in 2023, based in Tripura, though its registered address is curiously located in Howrah district of West Bengal. Political observers suggest the NCPI might be a 'brainchild of BJP,' intended to facilitate such defections.

The rebel faction, led by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, has also indicated a bold future ambition. While merging with NCPI for now, Bandyopadhyay stated that in July, coinciding with the next Parliament session, they would seek recognition as the 'real Trinamool Congress,' leaving the ultimate decision to the courts. This unprecedented rebellion marks one of the biggest internal crises for the Trinamool Congress and is set to intensify the political turbulence in West Bengal, raising serious questions about the party's cohesion ahead of future electoral challenges.