Opposition walks out of all-party meet over rebel TMC MP invitation

Walkout over rebel invite

Opposition parties on Sunday walked out of an all-party meeting convened by the government. The protest was symbolic. Leaders said the decision to invite rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs to the meeting was unacceptable.

The meeting was meant to discuss legislative business. But the guest list became the flashpoint. The walkout came minutes after the proceedings began.

'Injustice been done'

Opposition leaders termed the invitation a violation of established norms. One leader said, 'Injustice has been done.' The phrase was repeated by multiple parties as they left the room.

The rebel TMC MPs have been at the centre of a political storm in West Bengal. They were recently suspended from the party after cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. The TMC leadership has accused them of acting against the party whip.

The government defended the invite. Officials said all-party meetings are inclusive by nature. They argued that the rebels were still elected members of Parliament and therefore entitled to attend.

Opposition unity on display

The walkout saw rare coordination among disparate opposition groups. The Congress, Left parties, and regional outfits like the DMK and AAP joined the protest. The TMC itself was absent from the meeting but backed the walkout.

Opposition leaders said the government was trying to divide the House. They alleged that the invite was a deliberate attempt to legitimise defections. 'This sets a dangerous precedent,' a senior Congress leader said.

The government dismissed the charges. A BJP spokesperson said the opposition was running away from debate. 'They have no issues to raise, so they create drama,' the spokesperson said.

What the meeting was about

The all-party meeting was called to finalise the schedule for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. Agenda items included pending bills and likely discussions on the economic situation. The walkout disrupted the initial flow, but the meeting continued with remaining parties.

Sources said the government managed to brief the attending members on key legislative proposals. But the absence of the opposition means the session could see further disruptions. The government has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha but faces a tougher test in the Rajya Sabha.

The rebel TMC MPs, meanwhile, have not commented on the controversy. They are likely to attend future meetings unless a formal boycott is announced.

What happens next: The Monsoon Session is expected to begin next week. The opposition has indicated it will raise the issue of the rebel MPs on the floor of the House. The government is unlikely to back down, setting the stage for a tense parliamentary session.