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New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, new discussions have begun regarding the stance of the party’s rebel MPs. It is being reported that some MPs who defected from the TMC and joined the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI) now want to maintain a distance from the BJP. These leaders fear that aligning with the BJP could impact the political and social dynamics, as well as their vote bank, in their areas. 

Who are those three MPs of the rebel group? 

According to reports, three MPs from the rebel faction are particularly uneasy about the BJP’s move closer to the BJP. These include former cricketer and Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan, Murshidabad MP Abu Taher Khan, and Jangipur MP Khalilur Rahman. All three MPs represent areas with significant Muslim voters.

Why did the concern increase regarding closeness with BJP?

According to sources, these MPs believe that openly aligning with the BJP could negatively impact their traditional vote bank. They argue that if they become more closely aligned with the BJP, voters in their constituencies may perceive it as a move against their interests. This is why the three leaders are currently trying to maintain a clear distance from the BJP.

Stayed away from PM Modi’s NDA meeting as well

The absence of these three MPs from the recent NDA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sparked political debate. However, when BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari called a meeting in Delhi, Yusuf Pathan, Abu Tahir Khan, and Khalilur Rahman attended. The MPs said they had come to the meeting to raise issues in their constituencies, including the issue of loudspeakers in mosques in West Bengal. 

Abu Tahir clarified his stance

It’s worth noting that Murshidabad MP Abu Taher Khan recently clarified that he is not part of the NDA. Despite this, he attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for MPs from allied parties. He stated that his intention was not to support the BJP or the NDA, but to raise issues to his region and state with the Prime Minister. 

Abu Taher raised issues with the Prime Minister such as alleged complaints of deletion of names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, ban on use of loudspeakers in mosques and demand for a new railway line in his parliamentary constituency.

Rebel MPs accused of spreading confusion 

Meanwhile, some TMC leaders remain aligned with party chief Mamata Banerjee. Kalyan Banerjee accused the rebel MPs of spreading confusion, saying they submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker claiming to be members of the NCPI, even though the NCPI is already part of the NDA. Consequently, everyone is closely watching the rebel MPs’ next political move.