Supreme Court flags three-month delay by Speaker on TMC rebel MPs disqualification

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s three-month postponement in deciding disqualification petitions against 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs constitutes a “red flag,” but declined to fix a deadline. The petitions, filed by Abhishek Banerjee on June 19, stem from the rebels’ merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and their subsequent support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Citing the Constitution’s 10th Schedule, Banerjee argued the MPs should lose their seats. The speaker issued notices on August 5, granted extensions up to September 22, and the MPs sought further time. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended the MPs need an opportunity to respond and that no undue delay exists.

The court kept the plea pending, ordering an update and scheduling further hearing after six weeks. The episode underscores internal turmoil within the TMC after its recent electoral defeat.