The decision made by the rebel MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to merge with the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) might not be a foolproof way of avoiding disqualification under the anti-defection law, but it can allow them to vote in the Lok Sabha, pending a decision from the Speaker in case the TMC files a petition seeking their disqualification.

With sources in the government indicating that the Centre is likely to bring the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 or the Delimitation Bill as early as the monsoon session of Parliament, which is likely to begin in mid-July, it becomes crucial that this bloc, which has promised support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gets to vote when the said Bills are taken up. In April, the government had fallen short of the two-thirds majority required for its passage.