NCPI Emerges as Unexpected Parliamentary Power as Nearly 20 Rebel TMC MPs Move to Merge Amid Anti-Defection Concerns

NCPI, a little-known political party with minimal electoral history, is set to become a major force in the Lok Sabha after nearly 20 rebel TMC MPs announced a merger. The development, pending Speaker approval, could significantly reshape parliamentary dynamics and strengthen the ruling alliance amid anti-defection law considerations.

The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a relatively obscure political organisation with negligible electoral history, has emerged at the centre of a major parliamentary realignment after nearly 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament announced their decision to merge with the party, subject to approval by the Lok Sabha Speaker. The development has the potential to dramatically alter the numerical balance in the Lok Sabha and strengthen the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

The NCPI, registered with the Election Commission of India in January 2023 as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party, had until now recorded only 822 votes in its sole electoral contest in the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections. Despite fielding candidates in seven constituencies, four nominations were rejected, leaving only two candidates in the fray under its symbol. In Chawmanu, the party secured 536 votes, while in Kailashahar it received 286 votes. An additional Independent candidate associated with its broader network polled 376 votes in Ambassa, taking the combined tally to 1,198 votes. The party also reported total donations of approximately Rs 1.13 lakh.

Following the proposed merger, the NCPI’s representation in the Lok Sabha would rise from zero to 20 Members of Parliament, positioning it as the fifth-largest party in the House after the Bharatiya Janata Party with 240 MPs, the Indian National Congress with 99, the Samajwadi Party with 37, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with 22. The TMC, which entered the 2024 general election as the fourth-largest opposition force with 28 MPs, would be reduced to nine seats if the merger is approved.

The rebel MPs have formally submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker declaring their intention to merge with the NCPI and extend support to the National Democratic Alliance. They have also requested separate seating arrangements in Parliament, signalling a formal separation from the INDIA bloc. The move is widely viewed through the lens of anti-defection law considerations, as the MPs seek to secure their parliamentary positions under merger provisions.

At the centre of the NCPI’s organisational structure are Uttiya Kundu and Shewly Kundu, a husband-and-wife duo from West Bengal. Uttiya Kundu serves as party president and is associated with the Bengali publication Jago Biswa, where he has described himself as a publisher, editor, mathematician, social worker, and motivational speaker. Shewly Kundu serves as the party treasurer and is also listed as a director in organisations operating from addresses linked to the party, including Biswabazar Private Limited and the Paschim Banga Unorganised Women Workers Association.

Party founder Dey has claimed that the organisation was developed in 2022 and formally registered in 2023, but has alleged that the Kundu couple unilaterally advanced decisions regarding the merger without internal consultation. Dey stated that the founder was kept uninformed and that no approval was granted by the party structure. He further maintained that attempts to contact Shewly Kundu regarding the merger had been unsuccessful, insisting that any expansion must follow internal deliberations and constitutional procedures.

The political controversy has intensified amid speculation over meetings involving senior political figures. Reports indicate that several rebel TMC MPs participated in high-level discussions at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, with the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including Nishikant Dubey, CM Ramesh, and Suvendu Adhikari noted during some of these interactions. Additionally, TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, whose name appeared on the list of defecting MPs, was later seen meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and Amit Shah of orchestrating the split within the TMC and facilitating the merger with the NCPI, describing the development as an undermining of parliamentary norms and democratic processes. He further argued that the NCPI’s sudden rise could position it as a significant force within the NDA, surpassing more established allies. The Bharatiya Janata Party has firmly denied any involvement, stating that the developments are internal to the TMC.

The rebel MPs’ alignment with the NCPI is seen as a procedural mechanism to avoid immediate disqualification under anti-defection provisions while retaining parliamentary membership. The NCPI, despite its minimal electoral footprint, provides an institutional platform enabling the transition of the MPs away from their parent party.

If approved, the merger would mark one of the most unusual political transformations in recent parliamentary history, elevating a party with no significant electoral base, limited organisational presence, and negligible financial resources into a major parliamentary bloc overnight.