All three Muslim MPs of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) have decided to extend issue-based support to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party leader Khalilur Rahman said on Friday, putting an end to speculation over their position on the ruling coalition.
Rahman, along with former Trinamool Congress MPs Yusuf Pathan and Abu Taher Khan, was among the 20 Lok Sabha members who rebelled against the TMC leadership and subsequently joined the NCPI. Rahman represents Jangipur, while Pathan and Khan are MPs from Berhampore and Murshidabad, respectively.
Speaking to India TV inside the Parliament complex on the sidelines of the ongoing Monsoon Session, Rahman said the MPs would support the government on issues in the national interest while raising objections if any measure adversely affected a particular community.
"We stand in the interest of the country. However, if something is done against a particular community, then we would be protesting it. We respect the law, and that's why we met the home minister yesterday and the prime minister today. We will be extending issue-based support to the NDA," Rahman said.
The clarification is significant as questions had been raised over whether the three Muslim legislators would support the NDA, particularly on key legislative matters expected to come up during the ongoing session.
The NCPI has 20 members in the Lok Sabha. With its support, the NDA's effective strength in the House has risen to 319, including the Speaker. The numbers could become particularly important for the government as it seeks to secure support for the Delimitation Bill.
The Delimitation Bill had earlier been introduced in Parliament in April and received 298 votes. However, based on the current strength cited for the House, the legislation would require 360 votes for passage if all 540 members are present and voting.
NCPI MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia also indicated that the party's entire Lok Sabha contingent is backing the NDA on an issue-based basis. He criticised the Opposition for repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings and said Parliament should be allowed to function smoothly.
"In democracy, everyone should present their views, and the Parliament should be allowed to function smoothly. However, the opposition only aims to halt the proceedings of the Parliament," Basunia told India TV.
Asked specifically about the Delimitation Bill, Basunia said all 20 NCPI MPs were with the NDA and that Rahman, Pathan and Khan had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to him, the Prime Minister assured the three MPs that the concerns raised by them would be examined.
The development comes at a crucial stage of the Monsoon Session, with the government seeking to build broader political support for important legislative business. The backing of the NCPI could provide the NDA with additional numbers, although the government would still need to secure further support to reach the required threshold for constitutional legislation such as the Delimitation Bill.
Rahman's statement also seeks to draw a distinction between political alignment and unconditional support. By describing the backing as "issue-based", the NCPI leadership has indicated that its MPs will support the government where they believe it serves the national interest while opposing measures they consider detrimental to any community.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on August 13, leaving the government and Opposition limited time to resolve differences and ensure the passage of key legislative proposals.
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