20 Lok Sabha MPs to quit TMC, will write to Speaker about joining NDA: Kakoli Ghosh
Says the MPs have accepted the people's verdict and believe that their future political course should be aligned with the NDA
In a major jolt to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, 20 party members in the Lok Sabha have decided to quit the Trinamool Congress and make a bid to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to formally join the BJP-led NDA parliamentary party.
Speaking exclusively to The Tribune on Monday, Kakoli Ghosh, chief whip of the TMC in the Lok Sabha, confirmed the development.
"Nearly 20 TMC MPs, including me, have decided to write to the Speaker and ormally convey our desire to be part of the NDA. The decision comes after extensive discussions among fellow MPs. As of now, I remain the chief whip of the TMC in the Lok Sabha, and in that capacity I have consulted colleagues before arriving at this decision," Kakoli told The Tribune.
Reacting to her replacement as chief whip after she resigned as TMC Mahila wing chief, Kakoli said her removal was arbitrary and unilateral.
"The party chairperson may have announced my replacement from the post, but that does not alter the constitutional and parliamentary position overnight," she told TNS.
Kakoli said the MPs have accepted the people's verdict and believe that their future political course should be aligned with the NDA.
"Accordingly, we will communicate our decision to the Speaker. We want to be part of the NDA," she said adding that the letter to Speaker will follow.
Once this happens the TMC legislature party in Lok Sabha would have split and merged in the NDA as Aam Aadmi Party recently did in Rajya Sabha.
TMC needs 19 MPs – two-thirds to split under the anti-defection law. The party has 28 MPs in Lok Sabha.
A similar script is playing out in Rajya Sabha where out of 13 MPs the TMC needs nine for a split.
Sukhendu Shekhar Ray already resigned on Monday and more will follow.
