Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking quick resolution of disqualification petitions against 20 party Lok Sabha members. These MPs had joined the National Citizens’ Party of India post the West Bengal Assembly election results. The disqualification requests were made under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985.
In his letter, Banerjee emphasized that the disqualification of these 20 MPs was based on grounds of defection. The petitions included a detailed representation outlining the factual and legal basis for their disqualification. Banerjee highlighted that these MPs had aligned with the NCPI, an unrecognized political entity without representation in any legislature.
Banerjee expressed concern over the delay in the proceedings, noting that no hearing or notice had been issued despite over five weeks passing since the petitions were filed. He stressed the importance of timely action to uphold the anti-defection law’s purpose and efficacy. Banerjee argued that prolonged pendency of disqualification proceedings could undermine the law’s intent and effectiveness.
The urgency of the matter was underscored by the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s decision to invite these 20 MPs as a separate group to an all-party meeting on July 19. Banerjee urged for a swift resolution of the petitions, emphasizing that uncertainty over the MPs’ status could compromise both the Tenth Schedule’s effectiveness and parliamentary integrity.
