Opposition Stages Walkout at All-Party Meeting Over Rebel TMC MPs' Invitation

Opposition's Protest at All-Party Meeting

New Delhi: On Sunday, the entire Opposition staged a symbolic walkout from the all-party meeting held in New Delhi, protesting the invitation given to rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The Opposition expressed their discontent regarding Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decisions, which included granting separate seating for the rebel TMC lawmakers and merging the rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the faction led by Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

"The Opposition chose to exit the all-party meeting in response to the Speaker's actions concerning the rebel MPs from TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT)," stated Congress leader Pramod Tiwari to reporters at the Parliament House complex.

CPM leader John Brittas criticized the invitation to the rebel TMC MPs, labeling it a "miscarriage of justice."

After a brief period, the Opposition members returned to the meeting and resumed their participation.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had invited Sudip Bandyopadhyay, leader of the breakaway TMC faction, to the customary all-party meeting, highlighting that he and 19 other MPs had joined the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI).

Speaker Om Birla approved separate seating arrangements for the 20 rebel TMC lawmakers, who have claimed allegiance to the lesser-known NCPI.

Sources indicated that the rebel group would be seated apart from their original party, although no final decision has been made regarding their recognition as part of the NCPI, which remains under review.

The TMC has called for the disqualification of these rebel MPs.

Typically, all-party meetings are convened before each Parliament session to discuss the government's legislative agenda and to foster cooperation among political parties for smooth proceedings.