Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday renewed his demand for action against 20 MPs who have publicly claimed to have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), but whose change in political affiliation has not yet received formal recognition from the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Banerjee met Speaker Om Birla again, accompanied by TMC MPs Saugata Roy, Kirti Azad and Pratima Mondal. The delegation pressed for the disqualification of the 20 MPs under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.
Speaking to reporters inside the Parliament complex, Abhishek questioned how the MPs could describe themselves as NCPI members while continuing to be identified as TMC MPs in official parliamentary proceedings. “They are saying publicly that they are with NCPI. But when they speak in Parliament, AITC is still mentioned alongside their names. This cannot continue,” the TMC MP said, as reported by Anandabazar Patrika.
He also objected to the recent changes in the seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha, claiming that TMC MPs had been placed alongside the 20 MPs who have announced their association with NCPI. “There is clear evidence that our seats have been changed. We have now been seated next to those NCPI MPs who have moved towards the BJP, even though they have not received any official recognition,” he underlined.
Abhishek Banerjee once again invoked the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which contains provisions relating to disqualification on grounds of defection. He urged the Speaker to take a decision on the petitions seeking the disqualification of the 20 MPs within the timeframe laid down by law and judicial directions.
The TMC leader also warned that he could approach the Supreme Court if the matter remained unresolved.
“The Supreme Court has issued directions on deciding disqualification petitions within a specific timeframe. If the Speaker does not take a decision within the stipulated period in accordance with the law and judicial directions, I will be compelled to approach the Supreme Court and seek its intervention,” he told in a press statement.
The TMC had first raised the issue with the Speaker in July, when Abhishek Banerjee, Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, among others, sought action against the 20 MPs.
The dispute centres on the political status of the MPs, who have publicly announced their shift to NCPI, and whether their move attracts disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the Ex-TMC MP, now NCPI, from Barasat constituency, dismissed Abhishek's threat to move the Supreme Court.
She argued that the Speaker is the competent authority to decide matters relating to the membership and functioning of the Lok Sabha. “The Speaker alone has the authority to take decisions concerning the Lok Sabha. No one else can interfere in that process.” Taking a direct dig at Abhishek, she added, “The person making these statements has limited knowledge of parliamentary politics.”
