Political drama unfolded a day before the Monsoon Session of Parliament as Opposition parties walked out of the Centre’s all-party meeting on Sunday, just minutes after it began. The protest was over the government’s decision to invite 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, who have formed a separate group called NCPI. The Opposition argued that the Speaker has not yet approved their merger and that disqualification petitions against them are still pending. Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, AAP, National Conference, Left parties and Shiv Sena (UBT) walked out together in protest. However, they later returned to the meeting, saying the walkout was only a symbolic protest. Here’s what happened.
Why Did The Opposition Walk Out Of The All-Party Meeting?
The Centre had called the all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session to discuss its legislative agenda. However, within minutes of the meeting starting, Opposition leaders walked out after objecting to the presence of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs who have formed a group called NCPI. The Opposition said these MPs should not have been invited because the Speaker has not yet approved their merger with the new group and 20 disqualification petitions against them are still pending. They argued that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister had no authority to invite them under these circumstances.
After the walkout, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the Opposition protested because the NCPI is not a recognised party. She said the official strength of the Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha is still 28 MPs and questioned why the rebel MPs were invited when their merger has not been approved and their disqualification cases are still pending. She said, “After the 91st Amendment, there is no room for a separate bloc. So on what grounds did the Parliamentary Affairs Minister extend an invitation to these 20 rebel MPs and how are they attending this meeting? We have registered our strong protest and walked out as a symbol of our protest.”
#WATCH | Delhi: TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, “Today, the entire opposition including Congress, the Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, Aam Aadmi Party, National Conference, Left parties, Shiv Sena UBT have all walked out of the all party meeting in protest because the so-called NCPI, which… pic.twitter.com/I3b3sdjqVK
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2026
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the protest was to protect the Constitution and called the inclusion of the rebel MPs unconstitutional while their status remains undecided. The joint protest was seen as a show of unity among Opposition parties ahead of the Monsoon Session.
After briefly walking out, Opposition leaders returned to the all-party meeting. They said the walkout was only a symbolic protest and that they still wanted to take part in the discussions before the Monsoon Session began on July 20.
What Does This Episode Signal About The Monsoon Session Ahead?
The dispute over the rebel TMC MPs is being seen as an early sign of the political clashes that could take place during the Monsoon Session. With the issue of the rebel MPs and their disqualification petitions still unresolved, sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition are expected. The session will also begin on July 20, the same day the CJP has planned its ‘Chalo Sansad’ march over alleged NEET exam irregularities, making the political atmosphere even more charged.
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