Rijiju invites Bandyopadhyay to all-party meet as NCPI recognition plea awaits Speaker's decision

New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday invited leader of the breakaway Trinamool Congress (TMC) group Sudip Bandyopadhyay to the customary all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, noting that he and 19 other MPs "have joined the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI)", sources said. The government move, which came as a plea of the group for recognition was pending before the Lok Sabha Speaker, drew criticism from the TMC, whose Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien accused the Centre of "mocking democracy". In a letter dated July 18, Rijiju said Bandyopadhyay and 19 other MPs had joined the NCPI and have already requested Speaker Om Birla for recognition, "which is under his consideration". He invited Bandyopadhyay to the meeting of floor leaders of political parties in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha scheduled for Sunday at 11 am in the Main Committee Room of Parliament House Annexe to discuss important issues and legislative business likely to come up during the Monsoon Session. "I would seek your cooperation to ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses of Parliament," the minister said in the letter. Rijiju also requested Bandyopadhyay to attend the meeting along with Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, describing her as the "nominated Chief Whip" of the NCPI. O'Brien, in a post on X, slammed the government for inviting the rebel MPs. "Cheating. Mocking our democracy. Speaker has referred to 20 traitors as still being TMC MPs. Minutes later, Modi-Shah minister invites traitors for all-party meet and refers to them as NCPI..." he said in a post on X. Ahead of the Monsoon session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday approved separate seating for the 20 rebel TMC lawmakers, who have claimed to have joined a little-known party, NCPI. The TMC rebel group of 20 MPs will be seated separately, away from the parent party, the sources said. No final decision has been taken on the demand of the rebel TMC MPs to be recognised as part of the NCPI, and the matter is still under consideration, they said. The TMC had demanded the disqualification of the rebel MPs. The all-party meeting is held before every session of Parliament to discuss the government's legislative agenda and seek cooperation from political parties for the smooth conduct of proceedings. The Monsoon Session begins on Monday. PTI AO RT RT