Can NCPI have an impact on Bengal politics? Why did NCPI become the new political platform for rebel TMC MPs? Can the rise of NCPI create new equations in West Bengal politics? Can NCPI now become a big player in West Bengal politics?
Nationalist Citizens Party of India: Despite having sufficient numbers in the Lok Sabha, rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs chose to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) instead of staking claim on the party. NCPI has been considered a small and almost inactive political party till now. In Tripura elections, NCPI-affiliated candidates got only 1,198 votes overall. No candidate could reach the race for victory. In such a situation, what is the reason behind merging a party whose name is still unknown? Political analysts and legal experts believe that there were many strategic reasons behind this decision of the rebel MPs. The most important reason among these is considered to be the organizational structure of Trinamool Congress and the constitution of the party. Let us know the biggest reasons for this merger.
1- TMC’s constitution became a big obstacle
According to political experts, the biggest reason for changing the strategy of the rebel MPs was the constitution of Trinamool Congress. According to the party constitution submitted to the Election Commission, initially the State Executive Committee was considered to be the highest decision-making body of the party. However, later the Constitution was amended and the National Executive Committee was given the status of the supreme decision-making body. Experts believe that this National Working Committee works largely under the leadership and influence of party president Mamata Banerjee.
2- Mamta Banerjee camp has strong control over the organization.
In the organizational structure of Trinamool Congress, more importance has been given to the office bearers of the organization than the elected MPs and MLAs. According to political analysts, the party’s National Working Committee and other key organizational positions are held by leaders who are considered close to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. In such a situation, even though the rebel MPs had sufficient numbers in the Lok Sabha, it was very difficult for them to gain control over the party organization. This is believed to be the reason why the plan of the rebel MPs could not succeed, under which they first wanted to establish control over the Trinamool Congress parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha and later claim the party’s election symbol and funds.
3- Questions were also raised regarding the role of BJP
Amidst this entire incident, questions are also being raised about the possible role of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Vikas Ranjan Bhattacharya claims that BJP may have a role behind this political strategy. He says that several meetings of rebel MPs at the residence of Union Minister and senior BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav in New Delhi indicate in this direction. According to Bhattacharya, the main objective of the BJP may be to ensure the support of rebel Trinamool MPs to pass important bills in Parliament. He said that for this reason a strategy was adopted to get the rebel MPs to join some other political party instead of engaging them in the long and uncertain process of taking over the parliamentary party of Trinamool Congress. However, these claims have not been independently verified and are based on political allegations and analyzes by the parties concerned.
4- What was the difference between the situation of West Bengal Assembly and Lok Sabha?
A question is also being raised in the political circles that when the rebel group with the support of 60 out of 80 Trinamool Congress MLAs could successfully emerge in the West Bengal Assembly, then why the rebel MPs in the Lok Sabha could not adopt the same strategy? Analysts believe that the political strategy already adopted by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee was responsible behind this.
5- How did Mamata Banerjee’s strategy change the entire equation?
According to political experts, as soon as the majority group of rebel MLAs emerged in the Assembly, Mamata Banerjee took a big step at the organizational level. He decided to dissolve the old internal committees of the party and the committees of various mass organizations associated with the Trinamool Congress. After this, the formation of new committees was announced, in which priority was given to those leaders who were considered loyal to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.
6- Mamta Banerjee was successful in maintaining control over the organization.
Analysts believe that through this step Mamata Banerjee maintained her strong hold on the organizational structure of the party. Even though he faced challenges within the parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha and the legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly, he retained control over the National Working Committee and key parts of the organization. For this reason, it was not easy for the rebel MPs to gain formal control over the Trinamool Congress. In such a situation, instead of claiming the party, he opted for a different political platform like NCPI.
Why is joining NCPI being considered a strategic decision?
Political observers believe that joining NCPI was a relatively easy and practical path for the rebel MPs. The process of laying claim to Trinamool Congress’s organisation, election symbol and funds could have been lengthy and legally complex. On the other hand, they could try to create their own political identity in Parliament by associating with an existing political party. For this reason, merger with NCPI is not being considered just a political step, but a strategic decision taken keeping in mind the organizational and legal challenges.