NCPI Founder Was Unaware Of 20 EX-TMC Rebels Joining His Party; However Has Welcomed The Move.

Kolkata; June 2026: Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), founder and national organising secretary Shantanu Dey today (15th June 2026) has stated that he was previously unaware of the rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar’s announcement that 20 MPs who were elected from Trinamool Congress (TMC) intend to merge with the internal developments but welcomed the move and has expressed openness in discussing further plans.

While, addressing the media reporters, Shantanu Dey said that the decision about the merger was taken by MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, adding that he remains committed to the party’s growth and expressed a willingness to engage with the new members to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and work with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

“I got to know about this from social media and the news. I welcome them to hold talks with me. Why won’t I be happy if my party grows? He has not called me about this yet. I want to take the party forward. If my party grows, we will be able to work for the country. We support PM Modi and wish to

work with the NDA for the nation. If Kakoli Di speaks to us, then we will certainly go (to Delhi). I am hopeful that we will talk (NCPI & 20 TMC MPs. We will hold a press meet soon”, he said.

This comes after the political turmoil within the AITC escalated sharply yesterday (Sunday – 14th June 2026) as a significant faction of the party announced a rebellion. Rebel Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said that 20 Lok Sabha MPs have merged with the NCPI and will now extend their support to the NDA. Following a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Ghosh Dastidar stated that the group, which she claims constitutes more than two-thirds of the party’s strength, has requested a separate sitting in Parliament.

While, speaking with news reporters, Dastidar said that the rebel MPs submitted a letter requesting a separate sitting in the Parliament. She said that the MPs will “collaborate” with NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “We, the twenty MPs elected from the AITC, met the Speaker

and submitted a letter requesting to sit separately; these twenty MPs constitute more than two-thirds of our total strength. We are merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party. Moving forward, we will work for the nation and collaborate with the NDA under the leadership of the Prime Minister”, she said.

Meanwhile, taking some steps forward in exaggerating the issue, another rebel MP Asit Kumar Mal today (Monday – 15th June 2026) has defended the decision of 20 Lok Sabha MPs to break away from the Trinamool Congress and merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), saying the group was formed to work in the interests of the people and promote regional development.

Speaking amid the political turmoil within the party and MPs’ support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mal said, “20 Lok Sabha MPs have signed to form a group dedicated to the best interests of the people and regional development. We believe that the government’s programs will benefit the public, which is why we are supporting them”. Explaining the rationale behind the move, he added, “The TMC no longer seems to exist, so the question of being able to work for development while remaining in the party does not arise”.

Mal also questioned the party leadership over the developments that led to the split. “Regarding who is

responsible for the disintegration of the party, only the leadership can answer. Following the elections, no discussions were held concerning our defeat”.

Rebel TMC MP Satabdi Roy refrained from making detailed comments on the political developments and indicated that the situation could become clearer during the upcoming Parliament session. Roy said, “The next Parliament session is in July. Then we will see what would happen”.

Team Maverick.