TMC MPs Defect to NDA, Deal Blow to Mamata Banerjee's Leadership

In a major setback to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, 20 party MPs have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing their willingness to join the NDA. According to news agency PTI, Kakoli Dastidar said that 20 MPs, including her, have decided to support the BJP-led NDA. Kakoli Dastidar said that they accept the West Bengal election results and believe that their political future is more secure with the NDA. Earlier, amid speculation of a split in the party, 16 TMC MPs led by Sukhendu Roy and Kakoli Dastidar met Suvendu Adhikari. The defection law will not apply to the rebel MLAs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, at least 19 MPs of the TMC in the Lok Sabha will have to leave the party, only then this provision will be considered effective. Earlier, Sukhu Roy had resigned from the membership of the Trinamool Congress, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of corruption.