North 24 Paraganas, West Bengal | 20 TMC MPs merge with Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). Shantanu Dey, founder & National Organising Secretary of NCPI, says, "I got to know about this from social media and news. I welcome them to hold talks with me. Why won't I be happy if my party grows? I have heard that the decision was taken by the party president. He has not called me about this yet. I want to take the party forward. If my party grows, we will be able to work for the country. We support PM Modi and wish to work with the NDA for the nation. Our office registration is in 'Jago Biswa' building in Howrah....If Kakoli Di speaks to us, then we will certainly go (to Delhi). I am hopeful that we will talk (NCPI & 20 TMC MPs. We will hold a press meet soon."

This came soon after party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee told the Lok Sabha speaker not to recognise the rebel faction as a separate bloc.

Twenty rebel Trinamool Congress MPs announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party, pledging support to the NDA after a key meeting in Delhi.

Twenty Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MPs have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India. This move bypasses legal hurdles and allows them to maintain their parliamentary…