About 20 rebel members of parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) on Sunday [1].

This shift signals a potential fracture in the TMC's legislative strength and creates a legal battle over the party's identity and recognition in Parliament.

The rebel MPs said they represent the ‘real’ TMC and are seeking separate recognition within the Lok Sabha [1], [3]. The NCPI is a party based in Tripura that previously gained attention for a campaign rejecting political turncoats during Tripura elections [2].

Internal turmoil within the TMC has intensified amid allegations of dissatisfaction with the leadership of Mamata Banerjee [4], [5]. Some leaders have indicated a desire to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) [4], [5].

Reports on the destination of these legislators vary. While some sources confirm the merger with the NCPI [1], others suggest the move is a precursor to a broader shift toward the BJP [3].

Saumitra Khan said, "Around 50 TMC MLAs and 20 MPs are ready to join the BJP" [6]. This claim suggests a much larger scale of defection than the confirmed merger with the NCPI, involving both national and state-level legislators [6].

The rebel faction is now positioning itself as the legitimate successor to the TMC brand, a move that could lead to protracted legal disputes over party symbols and funding [1].

“About 20 rebel members of parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India”

The merger of 20 MPs into a lesser-known party like the NCPI may serve as a strategic intermediary step to avoid immediate disqualification under anti-defection laws while signaling a shift toward the BJP. If the 'real TMC' claim gains traction, it could destabilize the party's hold on West Bengal by challenging the legitimacy of the current leadership.