Congress Alleges Amit Shah Behind TMC Split

Congress claims the merger of 20 rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI is a politically engineered move aimed

June 15, 2026: The Congress on Monday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating the merger of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), alleging that the move was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the BJP-led NDA in Parliament. The opposition party described the development as an “illegal breakaway” and warned that it could significantly alter the political balance in the Lok Sabha. Congress leaders claimed the merger was designed to move the NDA closer to a two-thirds majority.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh launched a sharp attack on Amit Shah, accusing him of undermining democratic and constitutional values. In a post on social media, Ramesh alleged that the home minister had “masterminded” the split of TMC MPs and their merger with the relatively unknown NCPI, a registered but unrecognised party based in Tripura. He argued that the move was politically motivated and questioned how a small regional outfit could suddenly become a significant force within the NDA alliance.

The controversy follows a meeting between 20 rebel TMC MPs and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, where they formally announced their decision to merge with the NCPI. If approved, the move would reduce TMC’s strength in the Lok Sabha from around 28 MPs to just 8. The NDA’s tally would rise from 294 to 314 seats, although it would still remain short of a two-thirds majority. Congress leaders warned that the development could weaken the INDIA bloc’s parliamentary strength, while BJP sources suggested the NCPI was chosen to maintain a connection with West Bengal and symbolically expand the alliance’s reach into the Northeast.