The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has formally approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, opposing any move to recognize rebel MPs as a separate faction or the "real TMC" within Parliament. In a letter addressed to the Speaker, TMC Parliamentary Party leader Abhishek Banerjee asserted that the party remains a single and indivisible political organization, and no group of MPs can claim independent recognition.
Supreme Court Judgment and Anti-Defection Law Cited
Banerjee cited the Supreme Court's 2023 Subhash Desai judgment and provisions of the anti-defection law to strengthen his argument. He warned that any attempt by rebel MPs to function as a separate faction could attract disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The letter emphasizes that the party's unity is paramount and that the recognized leadership alone has the authority to represent the TMC in Parliament.
Escalating Internal Battle
The move comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between rebel TMC MPs and the Speaker, marking an escalation in the internal conflict within the party. The factional fight has been brewing for months, with some MPs expressing dissatisfaction with the party's leadership. By formally opposing the recognition of a separate faction, the TMC leadership aims to prevent any split that could weaken its parliamentary strength.
The anti-defection law, enshrined in the Tenth Schedule, mandates that MPs cannot defect from their party without facing disqualification. The Subhash Desai judgment further clarified the powers of the Speaker in such matters. Banerjee's letter underscores that any recognition of a separate faction would contravene these legal provisions and could lead to serious consequences for the rebel MPs.
This development highlights the ongoing power struggle within the TMC, as the party seeks to maintain discipline and unity ahead of key parliamentary sessions. The Speaker's decision on the matter will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for handling intra-party disputes in the future.
