POLITICS: Speaker Om Birla to Hear Both TMC Factions Before Verdict

The political battle over the rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs has intensified, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla deciding to hear both factions before taking a final call on the proposed merger issue. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee was initially invited to meet the Speaker, but the meeting was postponed as he was appearing before investigative agencies in Kolkata. According to reports, communication between the Speaker’s Office and the Mamata Banerjee-led faction remains ongoing, and a new meeting date will be scheduled once Banerjee is available. The Mamata camp plans to argue that, despite the rebels claiming the required two-thirds strength for a merger, provisions under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) could still justify disqualification. They intend to present their legal objections before the Speaker. Meanwhile, political discussions have intensified over a series of opposition splits, with references being made to earlier realignments involving Shiv Sena, NCP, and other parties. The Speaker is expected to make a decision only after hearing all sides.

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