New Delhi [India], August 27 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday reacted to the Lok Sabha Secretariat notice issued to rebel MPs who have joined the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI), calling it a significant move and saying that the MPs must explain the reasons behind their decision.
Speaking to ANI, Shatrughan Sinha said, "I believe it's a very significant, long-awaited move, and it seems to me to be in the right direction. Our friends from the rebel group must answer. They have been questioned by the honourable Speaker regarding their commitment and their move to join a party that's barely known in the country."
The TMC MP's remarks come after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on Wednesday, issued notices to 20 rebel (now NCPI) MPs seeking their response within seven days in connection with TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's petition in the Supreme Court seeking their disqualification.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court sought the response of 20 rebel TMC MPs on a plea filed by Abhishek Banerjee, challenging the delay in deciding the party's petitions seeking their disqualification.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the 20 MPs on Banerjee's plea urging the court to ask the Lok Sabha Speaker to expeditiously decide the disqualification pleas pending before him.
The TMC has accused the 20 MPs of abandoning the party and subsequently joining the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). Banerjee has contended that their conduct attracts disqualification under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.
The petition has arrayed the Lok Sabha Speaker and the House Secretary General as the principal respondents in the petition, while also impleading the 20 MPs whose disqualification is being sought.
The respondents include Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Satabdi Roy, Prasun Banerjee, Rachana Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Adhikari Deepak Dev, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Md Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar Mal, June Maliah, Mitali Bag, Khalilur Rahaman, Mala Roy, Sharmila Sarkar and Yusuf Pathan.