Seventeen Rebel MPs Set to Join BJP Before Durga Puja, Claims Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia A major political shift is on the horizon in West Bengal as 17 rebel MPs who broke away from TMC are reportedly planning to officially join the BJP before Durga Puja. A major political storm is brewing in West Bengal just ahead of the festive season of Durga Puja, with a significant faction of lawmakers poised to switch allegiances. Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, an MP representing the Cooch Behar constituency, has revealed that a group of 17 rebel members of parliament, who had previously distanced themselves from the Trinamool Congress, are preparing to formally join the BJP before October 20. This scheduled transition, coming right before the highly anticipated Nandigram by-election, could fundamentally redraw the political landscape of the state and test the resilience of Mamata Banerjee's administration. The move is expected to trigger a significant shift in how power is balanced between the ruling state government and the central opposition. The Strategic Detour Through Tripura's NCPI The rebel group of 20 MPs had initially severed ties with the TMC and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizen Party of India (NCPI), a regional political entity active in Tripura. According to Basunia, this intermediate step was a calculated move rather than a permanent destination. He explained that the initial merger with the NCPI was orchestrated with the assistance of the BJP to navigate complex legal parameters. Basunia stated: "The BJP initially got us to join the NCPI to bypass legal hurdles, but we always wanted to join the BJP from our hearts." The temporary arrangement served as a protective shield against immediate legal repercussions under India's anti-defection framework, allowing the lawmakers to transition smoothly without risking their active terms. Navigating the Anti-Defection Law The legal strategy behind this massive political realignment hinges on the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which deals with defection. By ensuring that 17 out of the 20 rebel MPs move together to join the BJP, the group safely exceeds the two-thirds majority requirement mandated by the anti-defection law. This legal threshold protects their parliamentary seats from disqualification, ensuring their positions as MPs remain intact after the merger. Basunia confirmed that this collective movement is designed to prevent any legal vulnerability that individual defections would otherwise invite, ensuring that their legislative power remains fully functional throughout this transition period. The Position of the Three Muslim Lawmakers While 17 MPs are set to officially wear the saffron scarf, three Muslim lawmakers from the original rebel group of 20 have opted for a different strategy. These include Yusuf Pathan, the MP from Baharampur; Abu Taher Khan, the MP from Murshidabad; and Khalilur Rahman, the MP from Jangipur. Basunia clarified that these three representatives will not formally take up BJP membership. Instead, they have chosen to extend their support to the NDA government from the outside. This external support allows them to align with the central coalition on key legislative matters without formally joining the party ranks. Demographic Dynamics and Electoral Equations The decision of these three lawmakers is heavily influenced by the demographic realities of West Bengal, where Muslim voters constitute approximately 30 percent of the total electorate. The constituencies of Baharampur, Murshidabad, and Jangipur feature highly concentrated Muslim populations. Formally joining the BJP could alienate their core voter base and trigger significant electoral backlash. By choosing to support the NDA from the outside rather than acquiring official BJP membership, these MPs aim to maintain a delicate balance between their legislative alignment and the local political sentiments of their voters. This strategic stance helps them preserve their political standing within their respective home constituencies. The Shifting Balance of Power If this mass defection materializes as outlined, it will have far-reaching consequences for both West Bengal and national politics. For the BJP, the addition of 17 MPs will bolster its numerical strength in the Lok Sabha, reinforcing the stability of the NDA coalition. For the TMC, the exodus represents a severe contraction of its parliamentary presence, raising tough questions about Mamata Banerjee's authority following recent electoral setbacks. The development provides the BJP with a powerful narrative to argue that the TMC's influence is waning, while forcing the ruling party in Bengal to reassess its strategy to counter a resurgent opposition ahead of major upcoming political contests. What this means for you This major political realignment will directly impact the future of West Bengal's governance and the overall balance of power in Parliament. • Across India: The ruling NDA's strength in the Lok Sabha will increase, making the central government more stable. This means it will be easier for the administration to pass key legislative bills without parliamentary gridlock. • In West Bengal: With Trinamool Congress (TMC) losing a significant block of lawmakers, the BJP will adopt a much more aggressive stance in state politics. Ordinary citizens can expect heightened political campaigns and demonstrations as both parties gear up for upcoming electoral battles. Why this happened This political shift is the result of a calculated strategy designed to bypass anti-defection laws while managing local socio-political demographics. • The Tenth Schedule Requirements: To prevent disqualification under the anti-defection law, a minimum of two-thirds of the legislative group must merge. This is why 17 of the 20 MPs are moving collectively, securing their parliamentary seats. • The NCPI Transit Point: Joining the Tripura-based NCPI first was a tactical maneuver designed to avoid direct legal challenges, serving as a legally sound transition phase before officially joining the BJP. • Demographic Sensitivity: The decision of the three Muslim lawmakers to support the NDA from the outside instead of taking BJP membership is dictated by local voter demographics. In constituencies with high Muslim populations like Baharampur, Murshidabad, and Jangipur, this move helps them avoid voter backlash. Questions & Answers 1. How many rebel MPs are joining the BJP in West Bengal? Out of the 20 rebel MPs, 17 are officially set to join the BJP. 2. When is this defection expected to take place? The defection is expected to take place before Durga Puja, specifically by October 20. 3. Why will the anti-defection law not affect the status of these rebel MPs? Since more than two-thirds of the group (17 out of 20) are moving together, they are protected from disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. 4. Who are the three MPs not joining the BJP directly? Yusuf Pathan from Baharampur, Abu Taher Khan from Murshidabad, and Khalilur Rahman from Jangipur are the three MPs who will not join the BJP directly. 5. Why did these three MPs decide to support the NDA from the outside instead of joining the BJP? To avoid backlash from their core voters in Muslim-dominated constituencies, they chose to extend external support to the NDA rather than taking official BJP membership. https://trendkia.com/en/politics/durga-puja-se-pehle-bjp-mein-shamil-honge-satrah-baagi-mp-jagadish-chandra-barma-basunia-ka-bada-dawa-32245 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.