Kakoli recognised as NCPI chief whip as Rijiju invites rebel TMC bloc for all-party meet

NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has invited rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay and 19 other Lok Sabha MPs, who have joined the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI), to attend the customary all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, while also recognising Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the party's chief whip for the purpose of the meeting.In a letter addressed to Bandyopadhyay, Rijiju acknowledged that the group of 20 MPs had approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as the NCPI, a request that is currently under consideration."Recently, you along with 19 other Members of Parliament have joined National Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and have already requested the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha for recognition which is under his consideration. It is my pleasure to invite you for a meeting of Floor Leaders of Political Parties in Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha to discuss important issues and Legislative Business likely to come up before the Houses in the ensuing Monsoon Session of Parliament. I would seek your cooperation to ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses of Parliament," Rijiju said in the letter, according to news agency ANI.Kakoli Ghosh invited as NCPI chief whipThe all-party meeting has been scheduled for 11 am on July 19 in the Main Committee Room of Parliament House Annexe.Rijiju also invited Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who has been nominated as the chief whip of the NCPI, to attend the meeting alongside Bandyopadhyay.The invitation comes even as the party's request for formal recognition by the Lok Sabha Speaker remains under consideration, signalling that the government has extended the customary invitation to the rebel bloc for consultations ahead of the session.Meeting ahead of Monsoon SessionThe meeting will be held a day before the Monsoon Session begins on July 20. During the meeting, the government is expected to brief political parties on its legislative agenda, while opposition parties are likely to raise issues they plan to take up during the session.Earlier, Rijiju had announced that the Monsoon Session would run from July 20 to August 13 after receiving President Droupadi Murmu's approval."On the recommendation of the Govt of India, Hon'ble President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Monsoon Session 2026. The Session will commence on July 20, 2026 and continue till August 13, 2026, for meaningful debate, discussion and decisions on issues of National Importance," he had said in a post on X.Session likely to see political fireworksThe upcoming session is expected to witness sharp exchanges amid recent political realignments and opposition demands.The Trinamool Congress has been hit by a major split after 20 Lok Sabha MPs merged with the NCPI and sought separate recognition in the Lower House. Separately, three TMC Rajya Sabha MPs resigned from the party and joined the BJP.Six Lok Sabha MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) have joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, while seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs had earlier joined the BJP.The Opposition is expected to press the government on issues including the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and defence minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on casualties during Operation Sindoor.The Congress has already submitted a breach of privilege notice against the defence minister over those remarks.The government, meanwhile, is expected to introduce and seek passage of several key bills during the session.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.