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A rift appears to be emerging within the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) over its alliance with the BJP and its closeness to the NDA. Three Muslim MPs who joined the party, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rehman, and Yusuf Pathan, are reportedly uneasy about the party’s growing closeness to the BJP. According to sources, the three MPs have distanced themselves from recent NDA meetings.

This development within the NCPI comes just weeks after several rebel Trinamool Congress MPs left the party and joined the NCPI. Now, differences within the party have emerged regarding its political relationship with the BJP.

Three MPs are unhappy with their proximity to the BJP.

According to sources, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rehman, and Yusuf Pathan are unhappy with the NCPI’s close ties with the BJP. They fear that this closeness could impact their traditional voter base.

For this reason, all three MPs have distanced themselves from some NDA meetings.

Abu Taher Khan categorically stated on Saturday that he would not align with the BJP or become part of the NDA. He also stated that his priority was issues to the interests of the people of his region.

Issue raised regarding SIR in Murshidabad

On Saturday, Abu Taher Khan and Khalilur Rahman met with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The two leaders raised the issue of alleged harassment of people during the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process in Murshidabad.

Abu Taher Khan said that minority communities, especially those from backward classes, needed special attention. He claimed that the Chief Minister had assured to take steps in this direction.

Trinamool targets rebel MPs

Amidst the growing tension in NCPI, senior Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee has targeted the rebel MPs.

He alleged that these MPs were misleading the public. He said that these leaders had submitted a letter to the Speaker about aligning with the NCPI, and that party leaders had already declared the NCPI an NDA ally.

Kalyan Banerjee also said that Murshidabad has a large number of minority voters and these MPs have betrayed their traditional voters.

Kunal Ghosh called it BJP’s ‘B-Team’

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh also took a dig at Abu Taher Khan and Khalilur Rahman.

He alleged that these leaders are confused and are acting like the BJP’s “B-Team.” According to Kunal Ghosh, these MPs won the election as TMC candidates, relying on anti-BJP votes, but are now in contact with BJP leaders to maintain their political alignment.

NCPI termed the differences as minor

On the other hand, MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is leading the NCPI faction, has rejected any major dispute within the party.

He said he had a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The meeting lasted about two hours and yielded numerous suggestions for West Bengal’s development.

He also said that Abu Taher Khan was present at that meeting and he was not aware of his recent statement.

The three MPs also met Amit Shah

Despite disagreements over an alliance with the BJP, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan arrived in Delhi. They met Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Birbhum MPs Satabdi Roy and Asit Mal.

The three MPs also attended the breakfast meeting held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Friday morning.

This has raised questions in political circles as to why the three MPs, despite maintaining distance from the BJP and NDA, are regularly holding meetings with top leaders of the central government.

Three MPs did not attend the NDA meeting.

The same situation was witnessed last week during the participation of NCPI MPs in the ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting of NDA MPs.

The number of NCPI MPs in the meeting remained at 17 as Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rehman and Yusuf Pathan did not attend the meeting.

This further intensified the discussion of differences within the party regarding political relations with BJP.

What do the MPs have to say?

All three MPs have clarified that they do not identify with BJP politics. However, they say they are willing to cooperate with the central and state governments in the interests of the people of their Lok Sabha constituencies.

That means, on one hand he is talking about distance from the political agenda of BJP, while on the other hand he is talking about working with the Central Government on issues to development and public interest.

Are the rebel MPs trying to return to TMC?

Amid the ongoing controversy in NCPI, senior TMC leader Saugata Roy has claimed that some rebel MPs are in touch with him and want to return to Mamata Banerjee’s faction.

However, these claims have not been independently confirmed.

If this happens, it could prove to be a major political blow for NCPI, because the rebel TMC MPs who joined the party are an important part of its current political expansion.

The road ahead is challenging for NCPI

The difference of opinion of three MPs in NCPI regarding alliance with BJP has posed a new political challenge before the party.

While some party leaders are moving ahead with closer ties with the NDA, three MPs are talking about maintaining distance from the BJP, keeping in mind their traditional voter base.

It will be important to see in the coming days how NCPI handles this internal rift and whether the three MPs maintain their distance from the NDA or stand by the party’s official stand.

Political differences have emerged within the NCPI regarding its relationship with the BJP and the NDA. Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan are reportedly uncomfortable with the party’s closeness to the BJP and are avoiding NDA meetings. However, the three MPs are vowing to cooperate with the central and state governments for the development of their constituencies. Meanwhile, TMC leaders have accused them of political confusion and growing closer to the BJP. Consequently, this dispute within the NCPI could play a significant role in West Bengal politics in the coming days.