TMC's Abhishek Banerjee Urges Lok Sabha Speaker to Expedite Disqualification of 20 Rebel MPs

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the latter's office in Parliament House. During the meeting, Banerjee pressed for an early decision on the disqualification petitions pending against 20 rebel members of the party.

The TMC has sought the disqualification of these MPs under the anti-defection law after they defied the party whip during the recent presidential election. The party argues that their votes against the official candidate amount to defection.

Banerjee also raised the issue of seating arrangements for TMC members in the Lok Sabha, requesting a review of the current allocation. The party claims that its elected members are not being seated together, hampering coordination.

According to sources, Speaker Om Birla heard Banerjee's submissions but did not offer any specific assurances or timelines. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes.

The 20 rebel MPs include those who voted for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate in the presidential election, breaking ranks with the TMC which supported the opposition candidate. The TMC had earlier submitted formal disqualification petitions to the Speaker.

Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the Speaker has the authority to decide on disqualification petitions. However, there is no fixed time frame for such decisions, and several petitions have been pending for years in various legislatures.

This development comes amid ongoing political tensions in West Bengal, with the TMC accusing the BJP of luring its MLAs and MPs. The party has already lost a few members to the BJP in recent months.

The opposition parties are closely watching the outcome of this case, as it could set a precedent for disciplinary action against rebel lawmakers.