Congress Accuses Amit Shah Of Orchestrating TMC Breakaway MPs' Move
Opposition targets BJP over controversial TMC rebel merger.
The Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of orchestrating the breakaway of 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament and their subsequent merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The opposition party alleged that the move was aimed at strengthening the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha and undermining democratic principles. The allegations come amid growing political controversy over the legality and implications of the merger.
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh claimed that the development represented a serious challenge to constitutional values and parliamentary democracy. In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh alleged that Shah had “masterminded” the split within the TMC and facilitated the merger with the NCPI, a relatively unknown political outfit. He further argued that the move was part of a broader political strategy to help the NDA secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
Ramesh also questioned the political significance of the NCPI, noting that the party was registered only a few years ago and has limited electoral presence. According to him, the merger could potentially elevate the NCPI’s position within the NDA, making it one of the alliance’s larger constituents despite lacking an established political base. He suggested that such an outcome would be unusual and could alter the existing balance among NDA partners, including long-standing allies such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United).
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Adding to the criticism, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of repeatedly encouraging defections for political gain. He argued that the anti-defection law was enacted to preserve democratic stability and prevent opportunistic shifts in political allegiance. Singhvi alleged that the latest development reflected an attempt to bypass the spirit of the law through political manoeuvring rather than securing public support through electoral means.
The controversy intensified after the 20 rebel TMC MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday and formally announced their merger with the NCPI. The breakaway faction has maintained that its actions are intended to “rectify” the party and has indicated plans to seek control of the TMC’s election symbol. However, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC has strongly opposed the move, describing it as illegal and in violation of the anti-defection provisions contained in the Constitution.
The NCPI, which is based in Tripura, remains a registered but unrecognised political party with limited electoral success. During the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections, the party contested only three seats and failed to make a significant impact, with its candidates securing minimal votes. As legal and political questions surrounding the merger continue to unfold, the matter is expected to draw attention from constitutional experts, parliamentary authorities and political observers in the coming weeks.
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