Lok Sabha Speaker approves merger of six UBT Sena MPs with Shiv Sena, separate seating for TMC rebels
New Delhi, July 18
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday approved the merger of six Shiv Sena rebel MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
This takes the Shiv Sena's strength to 13, reducing UBT Sena to three members in the Lok Sabha.
Additionally, the Speaker also approved separate seating in the Lok Sabha for 20 MPs who broke away from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and announced a merger with the regional party, the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
However, the merger of rebel TMC MPs has not yet been approved by the Speaker.
Last month, rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar led a total of 20 MPs and announced a merger with a regional NCPI. Shiv Sena (UBT) has also witnessed a split, with six Lok Sabha MPs joining the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Earlier, seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs had joined the BJP. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, currently holds 298 seats in the Lok Sabha, including the Speaker. In case the Speaker approves the merger between the TMC rebels and the NCPI, the NDA's strength will stand at 318.
The NDA is likely to move closer to the two-thirds majority mark of 360 in the House of 540 members, with three seats currently vacant.
The mergers have ignited speculation around the Centre bringing back the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes an increase in the number of seats in the Lok Sabha up to 850 and implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in legislatures.
According to sources, the Centre is likely to bring the Bill back, with attempts being made to remove apprehensions and assure a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats in states.
With the NDA an inch closer to a majority and the DMK not part of the INDIA bloc, the Centre eyes passing the Bill, which was defeated after gaining 298 votes in April.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Maharashtrian, I'm watching this closely. Shinde has been doing good work in the state - infrastructure, farmer support. But these defections make a mockery of democracy. The Speaker should ensure there's actual voter mandate behind these mergers. 🙏
Interesting how the NDA is maneuvering to get that two-thirds majority. 318 seats is serious power - they could potentially pass constitutional amendments. The women's reservation bill would be a game-changer if it goes through. Let's see if they actually deliver.
I'm honestly tired of these political dramas. First AAP MPs joining BJP, now Sena and TMC splits. Our elections cost crores of rupees - but what's the point when MPs can just switch parties overnight? We need stricter anti-defection laws with real teeth. 🗳️
The 131st Amendment Bill is the real story here. Increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850 is a massive change. If NDA gets its way, this could reshape Indian politics for decades. But I worry about the financial burden - more MPs mean more salaries, more pensions. Who pays? 💸
Finally some attention on women's reservation! Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been pending for too long. If this merger strategy helps pass that bill, I'll reluctantly support it. 33% women in legislatures could change the way politics works in India. 👩⚖️
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