Rebel TMC leader claims 17 NCPI MPs may join BJP

Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, a rebel Trinamool Congress leader who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, stated that seventeen of these MPs will join the Bharatiya Janata Party before Durga Puja in October. While some lawmakers denied knowledge of any such decision or disputed his authority to speak for them, other NCPI members noted they would follow the group. Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya remarked that acceptance into the party depends on high-level decisions, and other minority MPs have distanced themselves from joining the BJP.

Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Jagadish Basunia claimed that seventeen Nationalist Citizens Party of India MPs are likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party before or after Durga Puja. Basunia stated that this move would avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law because it involves more than two-thirds of the twenty-member group. He also mentioned that three minority MPs would support the National Democratic Alliance from outside, while background reports noted prior splits and recent political protests in Sitai surrounding his political shifts.

Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia claimed that 17 of the 20 Nationalist Citizens Party of India MPs are preparing to join the BJP in October, while three minority MPs will support the NDA from outside. The BJP distanced itself from the claim, with state president Samik Bhattacharya emphasizing that party induction decisions depend on leadership evaluation. Meanwhile, named minority MPs refuted Basunia's claims, and a separate factional dispute between TMC groups over by-election candidates emerged.

Rebel TMC leader Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia claimed that 17 NCPI MPs will join the BJP in October, asserting that a two-thirds majority avoids anti-defection laws. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the allegations, noting that willingness to join does not guarantee acceptance. Several other named lawmakers expressed no knowledge of any such decision, and Abu Taher Khan explicitly rejected any plans to join the BJP or NDA.

Rebel MP Jagadish Basunia stated that 17 out of 20 NCPI MPs plan to join the BJP together to avoid anti-defection laws, with three others extending outside support to the NDA. Named minority MP Abu Taher Khan dismissed the statements as Basunia's personal comments and denied any plans to join the BJP. The BJP's state president Samik Bhattacharya also rubbished the claims, questioning whether the party would admit them simply based on willingness.