Rebel MPs Merge with Party Without Elected Seats, Raising Questions on Anti-Defection Law

On Sunday (14 June 2026), 20 rebel MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) informed the Lok Sabha Speaker that they have merged with a political party that does not have a single elected seat at any level in the country. It is believed that this step has been taken to avoid action under the Anti-Defection Law. Due to this, this case has now become a subject of a major legal and political controversy. Earlier this year, a similar question was raised in the case of seven MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Now the biggest question is whether only a group of MPs can declare a merger with another party or the consent of the original party on whose ticket they have been elected is also required. The final and clear answer to this question is yet to be given to the Supreme Court. The anti-defection law in India was implemented under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution in 1985. It was implemented through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution.