Lok Sabha Secretariat issues notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs over disqualification pleas filed by Abhishek Banerjee under the anti-defection law.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs over disqualification petitions filed by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, according to sources. The MPs have been asked to submit their responses within seven days.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat notices come a day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear Banerjee’s plea seeking an expedited decision on the disqualification proceedings against the 20 MPs.
Notices Issued Under Anti-Defection Rules
The notices are dated August 25 and include a copy of Banerjee’s petition, which was filed on June 18 under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985.
The MPs have been directed to provide their comments on the petitions within seven days from the date they receive the notices. The Lok Sabha Secretariat notices mark a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the political status of the MPs.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Banerjee’s Plea
The development followed a Supreme Court hearing on Banerjee’s request for a time-bound decision on the disqualification petitions.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana agreed to hear the plea challenging the alleged delay in deciding the proceedings.
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During the hearing, the court indicated that the key issue was not merely issuing notices but ensuring that the proceedings are completed within a specified time frame.
The Supreme Court also issued notice to the 20 MPs. However, it did not separately issue notices to the Lok Sabha Speaker or the secretary-general after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that he was appearing for them.
Banerjee Had Approached Lok Sabha Speaker
Abhishek Banerjee had submitted separate disqualification petitions against the 20 MPs and later sought an early decision in the matter. He also met the Lok Sabha Speaker on August 12 after sending a written reminder on July 27.
The latest Lok Sabha Secretariat notices now require the MPs to respond to the allegations raised in the petitions, potentially moving the disqualification proceedings into another important stage.
Dispute Follows TMC Parliamentary Rebellion
The controversy stems from a rebellion within the TMC parliamentary group. The 20 MPs named in the petitions have announced that they joined or merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a political outfit based in Tripura, and sought separate recognition in Parliament.
The MPs have subsequently been treated as an NCPI group in the House and have participated in activities associated with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The TMC, however, has challenged their move. The party argues that the MPs were elected on TMC tickets and that their decision to associate with another political formation amounts to voluntarily giving up membership of the party. On this basis, the party has sought their disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The rebel MPs have maintained a different position, arguing that their move qualifies as a valid merger.
What Happens Next?
With the Lok Sabha Secretariat notices now issued, the 20 MPs will have seven days to submit their comments on the disqualification petitions. Their responses could become an important part of the proceedings before the competent authority in the Lok Sabha.
The case has also attracted judicial attention after Banerjee approached the Supreme Court seeking an expedited decision. The court’s observations indicate that the timeline for completing the proceedings could become a central issue.
Names of the 20 MPs
The MPs named in Abhishek Banerjee’s petitions are Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Satabdi Roy, Prasun Banerjee, Rachana Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Adhikari Deepak Dev, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Md Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar Mal, June Maliah, Mitali Bag, Khalilur Rahaman, Mala Roy, Sharmila Sarkar and Yusuf Pathan.
The issuance of the Lok Sabha Secretariat notices is therefore an important step in the dispute over the MPs’ parliamentary status. The final outcome will depend on the responses submitted by the MPs and the subsequent decision in the disqualification proceedings.
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