NCPI to chalk out Monsoon Session strategy today after TMC rebels' merger

The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) will hold a meeting of its parliamentary party on Sunday to discuss its strategy for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at 4 pm at Samvidhan Sadan (Old Parliament Building).

The discussions come days after 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs declared their merger with the NCPI, boosting the party's strength ahead of the Monsoon Session.


Earlier in the day, Opposition parties briefly walked out of the all-party meeting convened by the government, protesting the invitation extended to the NCPI. They returned a few minutes later and participated in the discussions.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition's walkout was a mark of protest as the decision on the merger of the 20 rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI was still pending before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

"The Modi government invited the NCPI, which is a parking place for 20 'rebel' TMC MPs, when a final decision is still pending with the Speaker," Ramesh said in a post on X.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said the Opposition had registered its strong protest as the merger of the rebel MPs had not yet been approved by the Speaker and disqualification petitions against them were still pending. She alleged that inviting the NCPI to the all-party meeting was contrary to parliamentary norms.

Leaders from the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Aam Aadmi Party also backed the protest, questioning the recognition accorded to the rebel MPs while petitions related to their status remained pending.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to be held from July 20 to August 13.