Sudip Banerjee has been designated as the leader of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) in the Lok Sabha, following a major political shift in the aftermath of the Trinamool Congress’s Assembly election defeat. Twenty ‘rebel’ MPs, who broke ranks with the party while levelling serious allegations including corruption, are now functioning under the NCPI banner and have aligned with the BJP-led NDA with the approval of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
On Monday, Sudip Banerjee, along with Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, met Speaker Om Birla and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss procedural matters related to their new political positioning.
Banerjee had earlier served as the Trinamool Congress’s leader in the Lok Sabha but was replaced by Abhishek Banerjee due to ill health. Kakali, who had held the post of Chief Whip, reportedly grew dissatisfied after Kalyan Banerjee was reinstated to the position shortly after the election results. Shatabdi Roy, who had served as Deputy Leader, has also joined the NCPI.
According to sources, the proposed leadership structure within the new formation places Banerjee as leader, Kakali as Chief Whip, and Shatabdi as Deputy Leader. A separate room has also been allocated in Parliament for the group of twenty MPs.
The developments come ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on July 20. Prior to the session, Speaker Om Birla has summoned the group — including Kakali — on July 19 to hold discussions and take a final decision regarding their status.
An all-party meeting is also slated for July 19. While uncertainty initially arose over the NCPI’s participation — since it is yet to be officially registered in Lok Sabha records — the Speaker has assured the MPs that they will be invited and that their seating arrangements will be announced before the meeting.
Last month, the 20 rebel TMC MPs merged under the NCPI banner to avoid legal and procedural complications associated with forming a separate parliamentary bloc. According to Election Commission records, the party is currently listed as an unrecognised political entity.
Speaking after joining the new formation, Kakali said the group would work “as part of the NDA alliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.” However, the MPs have maintained that they are not directly affiliated with the BJP and will continue to function as an opposition group in the Lok Sabha.
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