1 week ago
Lok Sabha Gives 20 TMC Rebels Seven Days to Reply
Twenty Trinamool Congress MPs left their party and joined or merged with another group called the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
They had originally won their Lok Sabha seats as Trinamool candidates.
Abhishek Banerjee asked that the MPs be disqualified under India’s anti-defection rules.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has now asked the MPs to respond to that request.
They have seven days after receiving the notices to send their replies.
The MPs say their move was a legal merger because more than two-thirds of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs moved together.
The Trinamool Congress says they gave up their party membership by joining another political group.
The Supreme Court has agreed to consider Banerjee’s request for a faster decision.
No final decision on the MPs’ seats has been reported.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued notices to 20 Trinamool Congress MPs over disqualification petitions filed by Abhishek Banerjee.
The MPs must submit comments within seven days of receiving the notices, dated August 25.
The MPs joined or claimed to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India in June.
Banerjee argues that their move violates the anti-defection law because they were elected on the Trinamool Congress symbol.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear Banerjee’s plea for an expedited decision and issued notices to the rebel MPs.
- Who
- Twenty rebel Trinamool Congress MPs, Abhishek Banerjee, the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Supreme Court.
- What
- The Secretariat issued notices seeking the MPs’ replies to disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law.
- Where
- The proceedings concern the Lok Sabha; the Nationalist Citizens Party of India is described as Tripura-based.
- When
- The petition was filed on June 18; the notices are dated August 25 and allow seven days for replies after receipt.
- Why
- Banerjee says the MPs’ move to another political formation amounts to defection, while the MPs claim it is a protected merger.
Trinamool Congress position
Rebel MPs’ position
Whether the move is defection
Trinamool Congress position
The Trinamool Congress says the MPs were elected on its symbol and that joining another political formation amounts to voluntarily giving up party membership, attracting disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Rebel MPs’ position
The rebel MPs say that joining or merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India is a valid merger protected under the anti-defection provisions because more than two-thirds of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs moved together.
Recognition in Parliament
Trinamool Congress position
The Trinamool Congress disputes the MPs’ separate alignment and seeks action against them under the disqualification rules.
Rebel MPs’ position
The MPs sought separate recognition as an NCPI group and have subsequently been treated as an NCPI group in Parliament, according to the reports.
Timing of proceedings
Trinamool Congress position
Abhishek Banerjee sought an expedited decision, while Trinamool MP Sagarika Ghose described the notices as a breakthrough after a delay of more than two months.
Rebel MPs’ position
The rebel MPs have been asked to submit their comments before the disqualification proceedings are concluded; they had not immediately commented on the notices.
Key facts
- MPs involved
- 20 rebel Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MPs
- Petitioner
- Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress leader in the Lok Sabha
- Notice date
- August 25
- Reply deadline
- Seven days after receipt of the notices
- New affiliation
- Nationalist Citizens Party of India, or NCPI
- Legal provision
- Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985
- Supreme Court action
- The court agreed to hear Banerjee’s plea seeking an expeditious decision and issued notices to the rebel MPs.
Quotes
Lok Sabha secretariat
The parliamentary secretariat that issued notices to the 20 MPs
“What has happened today is a breakthrough. It is very significant and important that after two months, the Speaker's Office has finally acted and sent a notice to the 20 traitors who, having won on a particular symbol, have now joined another party.”
livemint.com
“You are requested kindly to furnish your comments on the petition in terms of Rule 7(3) of the said Rules within seven days of the receipt of this letter for consideration of the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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