Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar elected NCPI president after TMC merger
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a TMC rebel MP, was elected president of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) after merging with the party.
June 16, 2026
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Image: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI: Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law. Following the merger, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was elected president of the NCPI.
The move comes as a strategic step to bypass the anti-defection provisions, which could have led to the disqualification of the rebel MPs from their parliamentary seats. By merging with another party, they are able to retain their positions without facing legal repercussions.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a longtime confidant of TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, has now taken over the leadership of the NCPI. The development marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as the rebel MPs align with a new party to continue their political careers.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar?
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is a former Trinamool Congress MP who was elected president of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) after merging with the party.
Why did the TMC rebels merge with NCPI?
The TMC rebels merged with NCPI to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, which could have led to them losing their parliamentary seats.
What is the anti-defection law?
The anti-defection law in India disqualifies MPs or MLAs from their seats if they defect from their party, unless the defection involves a merger with another party.
