Modi Govt’s Invitation To Rebel TMC Faction Sparks Row, Oppn Walks Out Of All-Party Meet

Opposition parties staged a symbolic walkout from the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session to protest the government's decision to invite the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), formed by 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the invitation, saying the NCPI had sought recognition from the Lok Sabha Speaker and the government had a duty to invite all concerned parties. TMC MP Mahua Moitra questioned the move, arguing that the Speaker has neither approved the rebels' merger nor decided on the pending disqualification petitions against them. After registering their protest, Opposition leaders returned to the meeting.