Rebel lawmakers from the Trinamool Congress announced a merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India on June 14, 2026 [1].
This shift threatens the stability of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Lok Sabha and alters the parliamentary balance by adding more support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The breakaway group, led by Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, has sought a separate seating arrangement in the Indian Parliament [1]. The group met with Speaker Om Birla to request official recognition as the "real" TMC parliamentary group [2].
The number of rebel MPs has grown as internal party crises deepen. While some reports listed 19 members seeking recognition [2], the count rose to 20 after Sudip Bandyopadhyay joined the camp following a meeting with Amit Shah [3].
The merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) serves as a vehicle for the rebels to align with the NDA [1]. This move has drawn sharp criticism from within the remaining TMC leadership. Saugata Roy, a TMC lawmaker, said, "Joining NDA is immoral" [4].
Abhishek Banerjee has urged Speaker Om Birla not to recognize the breakaway group as a legitimate entity [1]. Despite these objections, the rebel MPs have scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Speaker for Monday, June 17, 2026 [2].
The rebels are leveraging the merger to secure their political standing while distancing themselves from the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. By aligning with the NCPI, they aim to maintain their legislative influence while shifting their loyalty to the ruling coalition, a move that could trigger further defections within the regional party.
“"Joining NDA is immoral."”
The defection of 20 MPs to a regional party aligned with the NDA represents a significant blow to the TMC's legislative strength. By seeking recognition as the 'real' party, the rebels are attempting to seize control of the TMC's official parliamentary identity, which could lead to a protracted legal and procedural battle over party symbols and official status in the Lok Sabha.
