Opposition Walks Out of All-Party Meet Over Invite to Trinamool Rebels

The government's decision to invite rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs to an all-party meeting on the eve of the Monsoon Session sparked a major political showdown on Sunday. Opposition parties staged a coordinated walkout, questioning the rationale behind including lawmakers they described as "traitors" who recently broke away from the parent party.

The meeting, convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, was meant to build consensus on legislative business. But within minutes, the tone shifted sharply as opposition leaders demanded an explanation for the presence of the TMC rebels, who have since formed a new political outfit, the National Congress Party of India (NCPI).

Why the Walkout?

Sources said the opposition objected on principle. "You cannot invite people who have been expelled or have left their party in protest and treat them as a legitimate bloc," a senior Congress leader told reporters after walking out. The opposition's argument was that the rebels do not represent any electoral mandate and were being propped up by the ruling BJP to weaken regional parties.

The Trinamool leadership was particularly incensed. Leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, said the government had no business recognising the NCPI. "The NCPI has been recognised by the Election Commission? On what basis are they being invited? This is a farce," Bandyopadhyay said after the walkout.

TMC Leaders Hit Back

The walkout followed a sharp exchange inside the meeting room. TMC MP Mahua Moitra did not mince words. "The government chose to recognise traitors. These are people who have betrayed the mandate given to them by the people of West Bengal," she told media persons. Moitra's comment underlined the deep resentment within the TMC over the rebellion that saw several of its MPs cross over to the NCPI earlier this year.

The NCPI bloc, led by former TMC heavyweight Mukul Roy, has claimed the support of at least 10 Lok Sabha MPs. The Election Commission has not yet formally recognised the NCPI as a national party, but the government's decision to treat it as a separate bloc in parliamentary consultations has given the new outfit a de facto legitimacy.

Government's Stand

Government sources defended the decision, saying all recognised groups in Parliament are entitled to be part of such meetings. "We invited all parties and groups that have representation in the Lok Sabha. There is no discrimination," a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity. The NCPI MPs have already been allotted seats in the House, and the government argues that their inclusion in the all-party meet was procedural.

But the opposition was not convinced. The walkout has effectively derailed any hopes of a smooth start to the Monsoon Session. Parliamentary proceedings are expected to be stormy, with the TMC and its allies vowing to raise the issue on the floor of the House.

What Happens Next

The Monsoon Session is set to begin on Monday. The government had hoped to push through several key bills, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill and amendments to the banking laws. With the opposition now in a combative mood, the session is likely to see frequent disruptions. The TMC has indicated it will seek a discussion on the government's "attempt to destabilise elected governments" through defections.

All eyes will be on the Speaker's decision on whether the NCPI MPs will be allowed to function as a separate group in the House. For now, the walkout has set the stage for a bitter political war that could define the remaining months of the current Lok Sabha's term.