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4w ago

Rebel TMC MPs Seek More Time as Speaker Deadline Expires

Their latest extension request stalls a Speaker ruling that could vacate seats and prompt bypolls while the Supreme Court retains a role in timing.

The two-week deadline set by Birla for them to respond to notices seeking their disqualification under the anti-defection law ended on Thursday. (ANI)
Rebel TMC MPs seek 15 more days to reply to LS notices on disqualification plea
Stock photo used for illustration

Overview

  • The 20 former TMC Lok Sabha MPs aligned with the NCPI asked the Lok Sabha Speaker on Thursday for an extra two weeks or 15 days to file replies to disqualification notices.
  • The Speaker’s office had issued notices on September 25 and set an October 8 deadline for replies to petitions that allege defections under the Tenth Schedule.
  • Only 10 of the 20 MPs attended a Kolkata meeting called to discuss the response, and multiple outlets reported minor internal tensions and absenteeism that leaders publicly downplayed.
  • The dispute has a parallel judicial track after the Supreme Court agreed on August 25 to hear Abhishek Banerjee’s plea for an expedited Speaker decision, and any Court direction could change the Speaker’s timetable.
  • If the Speaker rules for disqualification the 20 seats could become vacant and spark bypolls that would affect Lok Sabha arithmetic and the balance of power in West Bengal, with TMC leaders already publicly attacking the defectors.