Of the 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who have split from Mamata Banerjee, 17 are expected to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) either before or after Durga Puja in October.
Cooch Behar MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia made the claim while speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Sunday. He said the anti-defection law would not apply because more than two-thirds of the party’s MPs were switching sides.
The rebel MPs had broken away from Mamata Banerjee on June 14 following the TMC’s defeat in Bengal. They subsequently merged with the Tripura-based NCPI and announced their support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
According to Basunia, the MPs will now join the BJP directly. However, three MPs, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman and Yusuf Pathan, will extend outside support to the NDA without formally joining the BJP.
TMC’s rebel MPs had held a secret meeting on June 8. It was only after this meeting that reports of the MPs breaking away from the TMC emerged.
Understand the process through four questions
What is the anti-defection law?
The anti-defection law was introduced in 1985 through the 10th Schedule of the Constitution to prevent elected representatives from switching parties or defying their party whip. A violation can result in disqualification.
How can the 17 MPs claim exemption?
The law provides an exemption in cases of a valid merger. If at least two-thirds of the members of a party’s legislative party agree to merge with another party, the anti-defection provisions may not apply.
However, the exemption is subject to specific legal requirements and procedures. Simply claiming that a group of MPs has joined another party does not automatically establish a valid merger under the law.
Why are three MPs staying outside the BJP?
Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman and Yusuf Pathan are expected to support the NDA without joining the BJP. Political and constituency-specific considerations could influence their decision, including concerns about retaining support among Muslim voters.
How significant is the minority vote in Bengal?
Muslims constitute around 30% of West Bengal’s population, making their support electorally significant in several constituencies. Political parties therefore closely consider the community’s voting preferences during elections.
Mamata left with fewer MPs and MLAs
The TMC had 28 Lok Sabha MPs, of whom 20 have reportedly broken away, leaving Mamata Banerjee with eight MPs in the lower house.
In the Rajya Sabha, two of the party’s 13 MPs have resigned, reducing its strength to 11.
In the West Bengal Assembly, the TMC won 80 seats in the latest election. Of these, 58 MLAs have reportedly formed a separate faction, leaving Mamata with 22 MLAs.
BJP rejects Basunia’s joining claim
West Bengal BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya rejected Basunia’s claim that the rebel MPs would join the BJP.
Bhattacharya said the BJP could not forget the alleged attacks faced by its workers following the 2021 Assembly elections. He stressed that simply expressing an interest in joining the party does not guarantee entry.
Taking a swipe at Basunia, Bhattacharya said, “Perhaps the BJP they want to join is the BJP on Mars.”
His remarks underline the BJP’s cautious approach towards the rebel TMC leaders, with the state unit making it clear that any possible induction would depend on the party’s own decision rather than the rebels’ announcement.
