A faction of 20 [1] Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MPs announced on June 14, 2026 [2], that they will merge with the Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCPI).

This shift represents a significant blow to the TMC's legislative strength and alters the balance of power within the Indian Parliament. By backing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the rebel group aligns itself with the ruling coalition, potentially strengthening the government's majority.

The announcement took place in New Delhi, where the lawmakers detailed their decision to move away from the TMC [2]. The rebels said the split was driven by dissatisfaction with the current TMC leadership [2]. This internal friction has culminated in a formal break from the party to seek a new political identity under the NCPI banner.

The move creates immediate tension between the breakaway group and the original party structure. Abhishek Banerjee, a senior TMC leader, said Speaker Om Birla should not recognize the breakaway group as an official party split [2]. Under Indian parliamentary rules, a specific threshold of members must leave a party to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.

The 20 [1] MPs now seek to integrate into the NCPI to maintain their seats while providing legislative support to the NDA. This strategic merger allows the rebels to transition into the ruling camp without facing the immediate legal hurdles associated with individual defections.

The political landscape in West Bengal remains volatile as the TMC attempts to manage the fallout from this mass exodus. The loss of 20 [1] members of the Lok Sabha delegation weakens the party's influence in national policy discussions, and may embolden other dissidents within the party ranks.

“Twenty Trinamool Congress lawmakers break away from the party to align with the Nationalist Citizens' Party.”

The merger of these 20 MPs into the NCPI is a strategic maneuver to bypass anti-defection laws while shifting political allegiance to the NDA. By forming a recognized bloc through a merger rather than individual resignations, the rebels aim to retain their parliamentary seats. This move weakens the TMC's standing as a primary opposition force in the Lok Sabha and signals a growing fragmentation within the party's national leadership.