NCPI Founder Members Seek Clarity on New President Amid Political Merger

Kolkata: The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) finds itself in the spotlight following a merger with rebel Trinamool Congress MPs, but its founder members are grappling with a more immediate concern — the identity of their newly appointed president, Jyotiprakash Chatterji.

On Wednesday, a meeting of the party's founder members, held near Ruby Hospital on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, was expected to discuss the restructuring of party posts after the sudden influx of 20 Members of Parliament. Instead, the conversation centred almost entirely on Chatterji, whose appointment was announced through a Facebook post that did not include a photograph or detailed background.

"We came to know about the new president from a Facebook post which only showed the silhouette of a man. There was no photograph or any details. So, most of our discussion revolved around who he actually is. We have heard that he is an advocate at Calcutta High Court, but beyond that, we know very little," said Santanu Dey, who identifies as the party's organisational secretary.

The party's keenness to reach out to Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs and increase its parliamentary numbers contrasts with the confusion among its original members. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the NCPI welcomed all Shiv Sena UBT MPs who wished to join the party, claiming that its strength in Parliament would rise from 20 to 22 in the coming days. "As stated by MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the parliamentary strength of NCPI is expected to increase from 20 MPs to 22 MPs in the coming days. This development reflects the growing confidence in our commitment to democracy, development, transparency, and public service," the party stated in another social media post.

However, the focus of the Wednesday meeting was not the merger that has thrust the little-known outfit into the political limelight, but the opaqueness surrounding its new chief. Eight founder members attended the gathering, yet they admitted they are still awaiting clarity from the party's central leadership, which is now largely being steered by the rebel Trinamool MPs who joined on Sunday.

"There were supposed to be discussions on the restructuring of party posts now that we have 20 MPs. But instead, the conversation centred almost entirely on the new president because none of us know him," said another founder member present at the meeting.

Party functionaries indicated that another meeting is likely later this week. Discussions are also expected to focus on the induction of grassroots Trinamool workers, many of whom have already started reaching out to NCPI leaders.

Meanwhile, former party president Shewly Kundu, who did not attend Wednesday's meeting, confirmed that a new president had been chosen. She did not offer further details about Chatterji's selection process or his background.

The developments come at a time when the NCPI, a relatively unknown entity until recently, has gained sudden prominence in West Bengal's political landscape. The party's appeal to Shiv Sena UBT MPs signals an attempt to broaden its base beyond the state, even as its internal coherence faces a test. The founder members' unfamiliarity with their own president raises questions about the decision-making processes within the party and the influence of the recently joined MPs.

Political observers note that such mergers and realignments are common in Indian politics, but the lack of transparency about leadership appointments could impact the party's credibility. The NCPI's commitment to democracy and transparency, as proclaimed in their social media statements, will be scrutinised by both supporters and critics.

For now, the meeting ended without concrete answers about Chatterji's identity or vision for the party. As the NCPI navigates its expanded parliamentary presence, the founder members hope that the central leadership will soon provide the clarity they seek.