A rebel leader from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Jagadish Basunia, has claimed that 17 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the NCPI party are poised to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Basunia also stated that strategies have been devised to prevent these lawmakers from being disqualified under India's anti-defection law, with the defection anticipated before or soon after the Durga Puja festivities.

According to Basunia, the initial plan involved a direct defection of all 17 MPs to the BJP. However, this course of action reportedly encountered objections from three specific parliamentarians: Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan. These objections led to a modification of the overall strategy for the group.

Basunia clarified that while 17 NCPI MPs are expected to join the BJP, the three aforementioned lawmakers—Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan—will instead offer their support to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) without formally becoming members of the BJP. This arrangement allows them to align with the government's agenda while not directly crossing party lines in the same manner as their colleagues.

The rebel MPs have reportedly decided to cross over to the BJP collectively, a move that Basunia stated would be crucial in safeguarding them from disqualification under the anti-defection law. This legal provision in India aims to prevent political defections by individual legislators, but it often includes provisions for group defections, typically requiring a certain proportion of a party's legislative strength to switch allegiance together.

This significant political development, as articulated by Basunia, is expected to unfold around the time of Durga Puja, a major festival. The timing suggests a strategic move to potentially leverage public attention or to align with a specific political calendar. The claim, emanating from a rebel TMC leader concerning NCPI parliamentarians, underscores ongoing political realignments within the Indian political landscape.