'Duty to Invite Everyone': Rijiju On Inviting TMC Rebels To All-Party Meet As Opposition Walks Out

Published 19 July 2026 · politics

'Duty to Invite Everyone': Rijiju On Inviting TMC Rebels To All-Party Meet As Opposition Walks Out Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 16:33 IST

'Duty to Invite Everyone': Rijiju On Inviting TMC Rebels To All-Party Meet As Opposition Walks Out Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 16:33 IST BJP leader Kiren Rijiju has claimed that since NCPI has asked for recognition from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, it is their duty to invite them to the All-Party meet. Rapid Read Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government's decision to invite NCPI to the all-party meet. (Image source: X/ @PTI) Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday defended the Centre’s decision to invite rebel leaders from the All India Trinamool Congress to the all-party meeting ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. He justified the decision by stating that the party TMC’s rebel faction has merged into, the NCPI, has asked for Speaker’s recognition and that is why they cannot be ignored. The session begins Monday and will run till August 13. Rijiju said it was the government’s responsibility to include all stakeholders, responding to Opposition protests over the move.

“It is the government’s duty to invite everyone," he said, adding that since the Nationalist Congress Party of India (NCPI) had sought recognition from the Lok Sabha Speaker they could not be ignored. He stressed that the meeting allowed all parties to voice their views. Suggestions were heard and noted, he said, adding that differences were natural in a parliamentary democracy. Opposition Walkout Over ‘Unrecognised’ Bloc The meeting saw Opposition parties stage a brief walkout in protest against the inclusion of rebel TMC MPs. They later returned and also pushed for discussions on issues such as the NEET paper leak, Ram temple donation controversy and E20 fuel. TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the entire Opposition bloc—including Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, AAP, Conference, Left parties and Shiv Sena (UBT)—walked out in unison. TMC’s Sharp Rebuke Moitra argued that the NCPI remained unrecognised despite being given separate standing. According to her, official records still list the TMC’s strength at 28 MPs.

Moitra also pointed out that the alleged merger of 20 rebel MPs has not been approved by the Speaker. Disqualification petitions against them are still pending, she said. “After the 91st Amendment, there is no provision for a separate bloc," she added, questioning the basis on which the rebels were invited. The walkout, she said, was meant to register protest over what the Opposition sees as a procedural and constitutional breach. Another senior TMC leader, Derek O’Brien, also slammed the centre over this. “CHEATING. Mocking our democracy. Speaker has referred to 20 traitors as still being TMC MPs. Minutes later, Modi-Shah minister invites traitors for all-party meet & refers to them as NCPI," he said on X. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is the status of the disqualification petitions against the rebel TMC MPs? Disqualification petitions against 20 rebel TMC MPs are pending, with the Lok Sabha Speaker yet to decide on their status or the alleged merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).