Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, seeking their responses within seven days to disqualification petitions filed against them under the anti-defection law. The development came as the Supreme Court on Tuesday took up a petition filed by TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, who has sought an expedited decision on the disqualification proceedings. 

The 20 MPs had broken away from the TMC and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The TMC has challenged their status, arguing that they were elected to the Lok Sabha on the party's ticket and that their subsequent move attracts provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The Speaker's notices now give the MPs seven days to respond to the disqualification petitions. 

Notices Follow Supreme Court Hearing

The timing of the Speaker's action is significant. During Tuesday's Supreme Court proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Speaker, informed a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that notices had already been issued to the 20 MPs in connection with the disqualification petitions.

The Supreme Court itself also issued notices to the rebel MPs on Abhishek Banerjee's petition seeking a time-bound decision. The Court did not issue notice to Speaker Om Birla after the Solicitor General said he would represent the Speaker's office. Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the issue was not merely whether notices had been issued but whether the proceedings could be concluded within a reasonable time.

20 MPs Facing Disqualification Pleas

The MPs named in the proceedings include prominent TMC figures such as Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Satabdi Roy, Rachana Banerjee, Yusuf Pathan, Sayani Ghosh, June Maliah and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.

The full list includes Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Satabdi Roy, Prasun Banerjee, Rachana Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Adhikari Deepak Dev, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Md Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar Mal, June Maliah, Mitali Bag, Khalilur Rahaman, Mala Roy, Sharmila Sarkar and Yusuf Pathan. 

TMC's Anti-Defection Case

The dispute centres on the Tenth Schedule, commonly known as the anti-defection law. TMC has argued that the MPs were elected under its symbol and that their decision to leave the party and align with another political formation amounts to voluntarily giving up their party membership.

According to reports, the 20 MPs later aligned themselves with the NCPI and sought recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha. The Speaker provided them separate seating arrangements during the Monsoon Session, although the Speaker's office has not recognised them as a separate parliamentary party. 

The disqualification petitions were filed separately by Abhishek Banerjee on June 18, 2026, under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985. 

What Happens After Seven Days?

The immediate next step is for the 20 MPs to submit their responses to the Speaker's notices. Their replies will form part of the proceedings concerning the disqualification petitions.

The Speaker will then have to consider the allegations, the MPs' responses and the relevant provisions of the Tenth Schedule before taking any decision. The notices themselves do not mean that the MPs have been disqualified.

The Supreme Court proceedings have added another layer to the dispute. The apex court is examining Abhishek Banerjee's plea seeking an expedited decision, while the Speaker's office is handling the underlying disqualification proceedings. The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 28. 

Bigger Political and Constitutional Issue

The case has wider implications for the functioning of the anti-defection framework in Parliament. The Tenth Schedule was introduced to discourage elected representatives from changing political allegiance in ways that could undermine the mandate received from voters.

At the same time, questions concerning the Speaker's role in deciding disqualification petitions have repeatedly reached the courts. In the present case, the Supreme Court's focus on the time taken to conclude proceedings adds urgency to the issue.

For now, the 20 rebel TMC MPs have seven days to respond to the notices issued by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Their replies and the subsequent proceedings will determine the next stage of a political and constitutional dispute that has now come under the scrutiny of both Parliament and the Supreme Court. 

Mumbai was politically charged on Friday as both factions of Shiv Sena marked the party's 60th foundation day with separate rallies — and Uddhav Thackeray used the occasion to address the most serious internal crisis his group has faced since the 2022 split that cost him the Maharashtra government.

Speaking at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Uddhav struck a combative tone. "If you do not trust or believe in me, I am ready to step down as party chief," he told party workers, even as he sought to project confidence. He insisted Shiv Sainiks were not disheartened by the rebellion of six MPs and remained full of enthusiasm. In a pointed remark that drew attention, he said Congress — his current alliance partner — had never tried to destroy Shiv Sena, unlike the BJP. He also warned that the country was drifting toward a "one party, no elections" system, calling it a threat to democracy.

Across the city, Eknath Shinde's faction held its rally at NESCO Center in Goregaon, with large hoardings of Balasaheb Thackeray, Anand Dighe, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shinde himself lining the approach roads. The central question hanging over the Shinde event was whether the six rebel MPs would make a public appearance there — sources within the ruling camp suggested they might attend, though no official confirmation had come through by Friday morning.

The rebellion had been building through the week. On June 15, reports of an "Operation Tiger" — an alleged effort to peel away Uddhav's MPs — began circulating, with the Uddhav faction initially dismissing them. By June 16, the MPs had reportedly been brought to Delhi. Sanjay Raut alleged that inducements of up to Rs 50 crore had been offered to MPs to switch sides. On June 17, Shinde faction leaders claimed six MPs had agreed to form a separate group, prompting Raut, Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant to rush to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The rebels then formally skipped the parliamentary party meeting on June 18 and submitted a letter to the Speaker explaining their position.

In that letter, the six MPs alleged that senior leaders in the Uddhav camp were working toward merging Shiv Sena (UBT) with Congress, and that the party had strayed from its foundational ideology. Senior Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire described the episode as part of the ongoing Operation Tiger exercise in Maharashtra.

The arithmetic matters here. Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine Lok Sabha MPs. Six of them breaking away crosses the two-thirds threshold stipulated under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution — the provision that governs disqualification for defection. Legal experts note this could shield the rebels from immediate disqualification and bolster their claim to recognition as a separate group, though they may eventually need to merge with a recognised political party to consolidate their standing.

This is the second major fracture in Shiv Sena in under four years. In June 2022, Eknath Shinde's rebellion involving 39 MLAs brought down Uddhav's government. The Election Commission subsequently recognised the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and awarded it the party's bow-and-arrow symbol. The current parliamentary revolt threatens to further erode what remains of Uddhav's political organisation.

Further developments are expected as the foundation day events conclude and the rebels' next move becomes clearer.

Twenty rebel TMC MPs, including Sayoni Ghosh and Mala Roy, will seek recognition as a separate group when they meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tomorrow.

Twenty Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MPs who broke away from Mamata Banerjee’s party will meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi on Monday to press for recognition as a separate parliamentary group, party sources and officials said on Sunday.

Rebel deputation heads to Delhi

Sayoni Ghosh and Mala Roy, two MPs aligned with the rebel camp, left Kolkata for Delhi on Sunday morning. A picture from Kolkata airport showed the two departing together. Jagadish (Jagadish Chandra) Basunia, one of the rebel MPs, told reporters the group would seek formal recognition and arrangements to sit separately in the House.

“The delegation will request the Speaker to accept our letter and make arrangements for a separate bloc,” a source close to the rebels said, adding the drive is aimed at securing institutional space in the Lok Sabha ahead of the new session.

What the rebels will ask

According to initial reports, the rebel MPs will present the signatures and documentation showing the backing of 20 out of the 28 TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha. Under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), a group backed by at least two-thirds of a party’s legislators can claim to be a separate faction and seek recognition from the Speaker or the Chairman.

TMC’s Lok Sabha strength and the arithmetic

TMC originally had 28 MPs in the Lok Sabha. With 20 MPs now aligned to the rebel camp, they have crossed the two-thirds threshold for the party’s parliamentary strength. That count, if accepted by the Speaker, would allow the group to be recognised as a separate entity — a step that could carry implications for seating, committee assignments and parliamentary procedure.

Party removals and fallout

Both Sayoni Ghosh and Mala Roy were removed from party posts by Mamata Banerjee on June 12. Sayoni had been serving as president of the party’s youth wing; Anrab Banerjee has been named to that post, party sources confirmed. Mala Roy was removed as president of the TMC women’s wing. The removals came amid intensifying factional tension after the party’s poor performance in recent elections.

Legal notices and family disputes

The political rupture has also produced legal moves. Baidyanath, son of MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has reportedly sent legal notices to senior leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee. He asserted that neither he nor his mother sought a ticket from the Barasat Assembly seat, signalling disputes over nominations and local claims.

Rebellion timeline and comparison

The split within the TMC accelerated rapidly after Mamata Banerjee’s electoral defeat. Results declared on May 4 were followed by a letter from rebel MPs to the Lok Sabha Speaker on May 18 seeking recognition as a separate group. A list of 19 names — including high-profile figures such as Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Yusuf Pathan and Shatabdi Roy — surfaced on June 12 with signatures attached.

Observers note parallels with the 2022 Shiv Sena split in Maharashtra, when a large group of MLAs broke away, prompting legal battles and a floor test. The final arbiter in such matters is often the Speaker or, if contested, the courts.

Impact on TMC’s strength

The rebellion has significantly reduced Mamata Banerjee’s parliamentary and legislative clout. In the Assembly, 58 of TMC’s 80 MLAs have reportedly joined the rebel camp, leaving the party with 22 MLAs. In the Lok Sabha, the split has left Mamata with only eight MPs. The Rajya Sabha has seen resignations too, with four of the party’s 13 members quitting in quick succession in June.

What to expect next

The ball now lies with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who will examine the rebel group’s claim and supporting documents. If he accepts their petition, the rebels can get recognition as a separate parliamentary group; if he refuses, the matter could move to the courts. TMC’s central leadership has the option to contest any such decision through legal channels, party insiders said.

For now, Delhi will host a crucial meeting that could redefine TMC’s parliamentary footprint — and reshape the party’s immediate political strategy.

The AAP MPs defection row sharpened on Sunday after Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh formally wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, seeking the disqualification of seven party MPs. In his petition, Singh alleged that the lawmakers had chosen to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and had, therefore, attracted provisions of the anti-defection law.

According to party sources, the complaint names Raghav Chadha among the seven MPs and argues that their move amounts to a clear case of defection under constitutional provisions.

Anti-Defection Law Cited

In his representation, Singh invoked the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection. He argued that the MPs could not claim legal protection merely by citing numbers or internal alignment, and said the reported shift violated the constitutional framework governing party loyalty in Parliament.

The anti-defection law disqualifies legislators if they voluntarily give up membership of their party or vote against the party line without authorisation. Singh maintained that the present case fell squarely within that framework.

Legal Opinion Taken

Sanjay Singh said the party had consulted senior legal and constitutional experts before moving the petition. He said opinions were taken from senior advocate Kapil Sibal and former parliamentary officials to assess the legal position before approaching the Chairman.

According to Singh, the legal advice received by the party was consistent and pointed to disqualification as the likely constitutional outcome if the allegations were established.

AAP Signals Legal Fight

The AAP leadership has indicated that it plans to contest the matter both politically and legally. Singh said the party would pursue the issue aggressively and would not treat it as a routine political disagreement.

He described the alleged move by the seven MPs as unconstitutional and said the party would challenge it through all available institutional channels. He also indicated that AAP was prepared to escalate the matter beyond Parliament if required.

Supreme Court Precedents

Singh said AAP would rely not only on the anti-defection law but also on past Supreme Court rulings that have interpreted the scope of defections and party mergers. He said earlier judgments had laid down clear principles on legislative conduct, party discipline and constitutional morality.

Legal observers note that the outcome could depend on whether the Chairman views the reported move as an individual defection or a legally sustainable split or merger under the Tenth Schedule.

Political Stakes Rise

The development has added a fresh layer of tension to the ongoing political contest between AAP and the BJP. With the matter now placed before the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the dispute has moved from political messaging to a constitutional test with wider implications.

The case may also trigger a broader debate over the use of anti-defection provisions in the Upper House, where party discipline and political realignment often create legal grey areas.