Birla to seek AG’s advice on TMC rebels’ claim

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will seek legal advice on the representation by 20 rebel TMC MPs who have demanded recognition as a separate political bloc after merging with a little known Bengal-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India.The Speaker will write to the Union Law Ministry, which will then evince a response from the Attorney General of India.

The process is expected to take a while with official sources pointing out that the matter is likely to be decided before the monsoon session of Parliament. The ball regarding the claim of the dissident TMC members is in the court of the Speaker, whose decision can, on a later date, be challenged in the courts of law.

In recent instances of rebels breaking away from parent parties, the Speakers have veered towards the rebels. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction was recognised as the real Shiv Sena over Uddhav Thackeray’s party while late Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction was recognised as the actual NCP over the parent unit founded by Sharad Pawar founded by the Maharashtra Speaker.

Meanwhile, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar again wrote to Birla on Monday, seeking expulsion of TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.

Kakoli has alleged verbal abuse, misogynistic comments and misconduct by Kalyan on the compounds of the Lok Sabha.

The letter demanding Kalyan’s expulsion follows a previous communication by Kakoli who had complained against the Sreerampur MP on May 28 and levelled serious allegations of misconduct.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had recently appointed Kalyan Banerjee as the party's chief whip in the lower House, replacing Kakoli.

“On several occasions, Kalyan Banerjee has used objectionable, disrespectful and inappropriate language against me and other women members during the sittings and proceedings of the House. Such conduct is unbecoming of an MP and undermines the dignity, decorum and standards of parliamentary debate expected from elected representatives,” read the letter.

Dastidar ‘elected’ NCPI president

After a senior NCPI leader today questioned the merger of the TMC with the party, it became clear that the NCPI had elected rebel Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the president. It is learnt that the rebels have intimated the Election Commission of its merger with the NCPI and also that Kakoli is the party chief.