Lok Sabha Secretariat issues notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs, seeks reply in 7 days

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs and given them seven days to respond to disqualification petitions filed against them under the anti-defection law.

The move comes as the Supreme Court considers a petition filed by TMC national general secretary and Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee, who has sought an early decision on the disqualification proceedings.

Notices issued to 20 MPs

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Speaker, informed a Supreme Court bench about the notices during Tuesday’s hearing. The bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

The 20 MPs have broken away from the TMC parliamentary party and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). They have also sought recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha.

The TMC has argued that the MPs were elected on its ticket and that their subsequent move to another political formation brings them under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule.

Supreme Court hears Banerjee’s plea

Banerjee approached the Supreme Court under Article 32, challenging what he described as a delay in deciding the disqualification petitions submitted to the Speaker.

During the hearing, Justice Joymalya Bagchi underlined that the issue was not simply about issuing notices but completing the proceedings within a fixed period.

"It is not a question of issuing notices; it is a question of concluding the proceedings within a time frame."

The Supreme Court also issued notice to the 20 MPs on Banerjee’s petition. The respondents include the Lok Sabha Speaker and Secretary General.

Mehta had asked the court not to issue notice to the Speaker and his office, saying he would represent them before the court.

MPs get seven days to respond

The latest notices give the 20 MPs a week to submit their responses in the proceedings before the Speaker.

Banerjee had filed separate disqualification petitions against the MPs and sought their expeditious disposal. The issue has also resulted in changes to their position inside the Lok Sabha, with the Speaker earlier assigning them separate seating arrangements during the Monsoon Session.

The proceedings will now move forward after the MPs submit their replies to the notices issued by the Speaker.