Lok Sabha Speaker extends deadline for 20 rebel TMC MPs

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has granted 20 former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs an extension until September 22 to file replies regarding their potential disqualification under the anti-defection law. The rebel group, which includes leaders such as Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, left the TMC in June and subsequently joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) to seek recognition as a separate political group.

The extension follows a request from the NCPI members after the Speaker had previously issued notices requiring responses within seven days. The disqualification petitions were originally filed by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. While the Speaker has provided separate seating for the 20 MPs in the House, he has not yet officially approved their merger with the NCPI.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra expressed surprise at the decision, suggesting the extension could be used to delay proceedings in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 18, 2026, following a directive to deal with the disqualification proceedings expeditiously.