Our Correspondent /New Delhi
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has not recognised the 20 Trinamool Congress MPs as the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and has instead allotted them separate seating in the Lok Sabha. At the same time, six members of Shiv Sena (UBT) have been recognised under the Shiv Sena group in the House.
The Union government, meanwhile, has recognised the 20 TMC MPs as the NCPI and invited them to attend the all-party meeting scheduled for July 19 ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
According to sources, the Speaker is not expected to take an immediate decision on formal recognition of the group, as the matter may be subject to judicial review. Parliamentary officials said the issue involves legal and procedural questions that could be examined further.
The separate seating arrangement has been put in place pending a final decision on the matter.
Interestingly, the Trinamool Congress will continue to retain its official strength of 28 members in the Lok Sabha despite the rebellion, even as the 20 dissident MPs sit separately in the House. The arrangement has raised fresh questions over the applicability of the party whip during parliamentary proceedings.
Should the Trinamool Congress issue a whip on any legislative matter during the Monsoon Session, it remains to be seen how the Lok Sabha Speaker interprets and enforces it in the case of the rebel MPs. The issue could emerge as a significant constitutional and procedural test in the days ahead.