17 NCPI MPs to join BJP soon? Samik Bhattacharya reacts to TMC rebel leader Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia’s claims | Today’s news
On Monday, rebel TMC leader and Cooch Behar MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia announced about Indian Nationalist Civic Party MPs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to him, 17 of the 20 NCPI MLAs would join the BJP either before or after Durga Puja in October. However, the BJP strongly rejected the allegations as state chief Samik Bhattacharya said the party will not accept anyone just on their willingness.
What Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia said
Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia said the primary plan was to join the BJP right after the end of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule in the state. However, this could not happen and therefore “arrangements were made for us to join the NCPI,” he added, PTI reported. He has said that ever since
The 17 MPs decided to join the BJP together, they would not be disqualified under the anti-defection law.
“We are 17 MPs who are going together to the BJP. Since more than two-thirds of the 20 members will be moving, the anti-defection law will not apply to us,” Basunia told PTI.
Basunia also said that Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahaman and Yusuf Pathan continue to support the NDA. However, they would not officially join the BJP because of the political and administrative dynamics in their constituencies.
“They will support the NDA and may get important responsibilities or portfolios,” Basunia said.
Read also | 20 rebel TMC MPs get Lok Sabha notices over anti-defection pleas
Controversy explained
Of the TMC’s 27 Lok Sabha MPs, 20 joined the lesser-known NCPI party, extending support to the BJP after Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in the assembly elections this year.
Earlier, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee had moved the Supreme Court seeking disqualification of the MPs. A request was also made to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in this matter.
Notices have been issued to these MPs.
The political group’s legal status remains disputed. Lok Sabha records continue to list 20 MPs as TMC members. Their claim for separate recognition as part of the NCPI has not been settled.
NCPI MPs react
Responding to these claims, Abu Taher Khan said that Basunia had no right to speak for the MPs in question.
Rejecting Basuni’s claim, Khan said, “We will not go to BJP. We will not go to NDA. That is clear.”
Basunia said they did not know about NCPI until they were told. “Now 17 NCPI MPs (Members of Parliament) will join the BJP,” Basunia said, adding. “I have to follow what others are doing.
Meanwhile, Shatabdi Roy, who is one of the NCPI legislators representing Birbhum, said that she is now aware of Basunia’s statement. “I am not aware of any such decision,” Roy said.
NCPI Bankura MP Arup Chakraborty added, “I am not aware of any decision to join the BJP. I have to follow others.” Mitali Bag and Kalipada Soren, two other NCPI MPs, also denied knowing anything as alleged by Basunia.
What BJP said
However, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said, “Anyone can want to join the BJP. But whether he will be accepted or not is a decision taken at our highest level.”
Read also | Why rebel TMC MPs cannot escape disqualification under anti-defence law
