Opposition Stages Walkout as Centre Invites TMC Rebel Faction to All-Party Meeting

The Opposition staged a walkout from the all-party meeting on Sunday after the government invited a rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), whose MPs have announced their merger with the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The meeting was called ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on Monday.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh told The Indian Express that parties including the DMK and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the walkout.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra, speaking to reporters, said: 'Today, the entire opposition including Congress, the Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, Aam Aadmi Party, National Conference, Left parties, Shiv Sena UBT have all walked out of the all-party meeting in protest because the so-called NCPI, which is an unrecognised party, the strength of the All India Trinamool Congress in the list provided by the table office is shown to be 28 members. These so-called rebel 20 MPs, their merger has not been approved by the Speaker.'

The government had convened the meeting to discuss legislative business and other issues ahead of the parliamentary session. The Opposition's walkout underscores ongoing tensions over the recognition of the rebel faction and the legitimacy of their merger.