1 week ago
Court Notice, Speaker Seeks Replies From 20 Rebel TMC MPs
Twenty Trinamool Congress MPs are accused of leaving the party after being elected on its ticket.
The party says they later aligned with a group called the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee asked the Supreme Court to address delays in deciding whether the MPs should lose their seats.
The Supreme Court sent notices to the 20 MPs.
The Lok Sabha Speaker has also sent them notices and given them seven days to reply.
The Speaker must consider their responses before making a decision.
The Speaker has not yet accepted or rejected their claimed merger with the other party.
The Supreme Court said that sending notices is only the beginning and that the proceedings should finish within a set time.
The Supreme Court issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs over alleged delay in disqualification proceedings.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has asked the MPs to respond within seven days to the disqualification petitions.
The Trinamool Congress alleges that the MPs abandoned the party and aligned with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
The party says their conduct warrants disqualification under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule.
The Speaker has not ruled on either disqualification or the MPs’ claimed merger, while the Supreme Court stressed a time-bound conclusion.
- Who
- Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notices to the MPs, while the Speaker sought their responses in disqualification proceedings.
- Where
- The proceedings concern the Lok Sabha and the MPs’ alleged alignment with the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
- When
- The Supreme Court hearing took place on Tuesday; the Speaker’s notice was dated August 25 and was revealed on Wednesday. The court is expected to hear the matter again on August 28.
- Why
- The Trinamool Congress seeks disqualification under the anti-defection law, while Abhishek Banerjee challenges the delay in deciding its petitions.
Trinamool Congress and Banerjee’s Position
Speaker’s Proceedings and Rebel MPs’ Position
Whether the MPs should be disqualified
Trinamool Congress and Banerjee’s Position
The Trinamool Congress says the MPs abandoned the party after entering the Lok Sabha on its ticket and that their alignment with NCPI triggers disqualification.
Speaker’s Proceedings and Rebel MPs’ Position
The Speaker has not ruled on the petitions and is seeking the MPs’ responses before deciding.
Whether the proceedings were delayed
Trinamool Congress and Banerjee’s Position
Abhishek Banerjee’s petition describes the Speaker’s inaction as deliberate and seeks an expeditious, time-bound decision. Trinamool leaders said the Speaker acted only after the Supreme Court hearing.
Speaker’s Proceedings and Rebel MPs’ Position
The Speaker’s representative told the court that notices had been issued, and the Speaker has now given the MPs seven days to respond.
Whether the rebels are protected by a merger
Trinamool Congress and Banerjee’s Position
The Trinamool Congress disputes the MPs’ claimed merger and says their conduct amounts to voluntarily giving up party membership.
Speaker’s Proceedings and Rebel MPs’ Position
The claimed merger remains undecided; the anti-defection law provides an exemption when the original party merges and at least two-thirds of its legislators agree.
Key facts
- MPs involved
- 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs
- Reply deadline
- Seven days from receipt of the Speaker’s notice
- Petition date
- The articles give June 18 and June 19 as the filing date
- Alleged alignment
- The MPs announced alignment with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, or NCPI
- Legal basis
- The petitions rely on the anti-defection provisions in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution
- Current status
- The Speaker has begun the adjudication process but has not decided the disqualification or claimed merger
- Court’s observation
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the proceedings must be concluded within a time frame
Quotes
Abhishek Banerjee’s petition
Petition filed by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee challenging the delay in the MPs’ disqualification proceedings
“The disqualification of 20 traitors for their brazen violation of the Constitution is imperative. It’s not just about one party. It’s about protecting the Constitution.”
telegraphindia.com
“Cover-up caught out! We filed 20 disqualification petitions on June 19. Speaker LS did nothing except give them better seats at our expense.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Supreme Court issues notice to rebel TMC MPs on Abhishek Banerjee’s plea over disqualification delay
Day after Supreme Court notice, Lok Sabha Speaker’s letter to rebel TMC MPs comes to light
Lok Sabha Speaker moves on TMC disqualification battle, seeks replies from 20 rebel MPs within 7 days
Lok Sabha Speaker Notices 20 Rebel TMC MPs Over Disqualification Plea
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