Lok Sabha Speaker gives 20 rebel TMC MPs till October 8 to respond after SC remark on timely disposal of Abhishek Banerjee's petition

New Delhi: After the Supreme Court's remark that the petition filed by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee seeking the disqualification of 20 rebel MPs under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985, should be disposed of expeditiously, the Lok Sabha Speaker's office on Friday issued letters to the 20 MPs directing them to file their responses by October 8.

The MPs, on September 22, had sought four weeks' time, till October 22, after receiving an initial extension of three weeks, which ended on September 22.

These MPs rebelled against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and subsequently merged with the NCPI, seeking recognition as a separate political entity. Before Parliament's monsoon session, the Speaker provided separate seating arrangements for the 20 rebel MPs. However, the Speaker's office has not yet recognised them as a parliamentary party. Abhishek had filed the petition on June 18.


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A three-judge bench of the SC, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, on Wednesday termed the three-month delay in disposing of Abhishek's petition a "red flag". The bench observed that it could not direct the Lok Sabha Speaker to act on the petition, but said such petitions should be resolved within a maximum of three months. The battle over the party and symbol between the two Trinamool factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee is still pending before the Election Commission of India.

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Sources told ET that the rebel MPs are also awaiting the ECI's decision. Sudip Bandopadhyay, one of the rebel MPs, had told ET that they needed more time to respond properly to the 22-page petition. That, he said, was the reason they were seeking more time.