20 rebel TMC MPs seek more time from Speaker to respond

New Delhi: While Election Commission of India (ECI) has frozen the symbol and name of both factions of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, the 20 rebel MPs have, for the second time, written to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, seeking more time to respond to Abhishek Banerjee's petitions.

Abhishek had filed 20 petitions on June 18, seeking disqualification of the 20 MPs under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985. These MPs rebelled against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool and merged with NCPI, seeking recognition as a separate political entity. The Speaker's office has not yet recognised them as a parliamentary party.

Also Read | TMC rebel MPs seek four more weeks for replying to Lok Sabha disqualification notices


"We have demanded more time to give an appropriate response to the petition," Sudip Bandopadhyay, one of the rebel MPs, told ET.

Some NCPI leaders are of the view that if ECI recognises the rebel faction as the real Trinamool, Abhishek's petition will have no relevance. They believe ECI might pass a final order in the case within a month.