Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (ANI file photo)
NEW DELHI: Once a Mamata loyalist and now an NCPI leader after rebelling against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday announced that she would join the ruling NDA in the Lok Sabha ahead of Monsoon Session. She said 20 former TMC MPs, who have formed a separate parliamentary group under the NCPI, would also join the PM Modi-led alliance in the Lower House.She said the group intends to work with the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.The announcement marks a significant step in the Mamata rebels’ realignment amid the continuing exodus from the TMC following its crushing defeat to the BJP in the West Bengal assembly elections in May.Addressing the media, Kakoli said the group had decided to back the NDA and work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.”We, 20 AITC MPs, are joining the NDA alliance. Leaving AITC, we align ourselves with NCPI… we intend to work with the NDA, supporting the initiatives of PM Modi and our Home Minister Amit Shah and be involved in their work of nation-building. We stated in the all-party meeting that we would work together. There are 8 women among our group of 20, and we will stand by the government on whatever issues they take up,” she said.Speaking about the NCPI parliamentary party meeting, Kakoli said the group’s focus would be on constructive participation during the Monsoon Session.”There will be discussions and debates on 5-6 bills… Everyone should debate, but we shouldn’t waste the House’s time, as that causes significant loss to the country and the public. In the interest of the nation and for the progress of the people, we will debate the upcoming issues, whether they concern taxes or the registration of births and deaths, but we will ensure the House functions smoothly. That is what we discussed,” she added.The development comes amid an unprecedented rebellion within the Trinamool Congress after the party, led by Mamata Banerjee, suffered a stinging defeat to the BJP in the West Bengal assembly polls after 15 years in power.While Ritabrata Banerjee has emerged as the face of the rebellion within the party organisation by staking claim to the leader of the opposition post in the assembly against the wishes of the party leadership. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar also has led a large section of TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha away from the Mamata Banerjee-led camp. The rebel faction has since aligned itself with the NCPI and is now extending support to the BJP-led NDA in Parliament.
