New Delhi, June 15: A political party that was relatively unknown until the weekend has gained attention following a social media post on Monday. The party shared a graphical representation showing the potential representation of MPs from West Bengal in the Lok Sabha, indicating that the number of its MPs equals that of the two main political parties in the state.
The post, titled “West Bengal Lok Sabha Seat-Party-Wise Details,” appeared on the Facebook page of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). It revealed that the party has 20 members in the lower house of Parliament, compared to 12 from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eight from the main opposition party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC). There is one member from Congress, and one seat (Basirhat) is vacant due to the death of the current member.
Interestingly, despite a modest start and poor performance in the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections, the NCPI has recently come into the spotlight. This surge in recognition occurred particularly on Sunday when 20 rebel TMC MPs joined the party, elevating its status on a national level.
The NCPI could potentially become the fifth-largest party in the Lok Sabha, pending approval from the Speaker. Registered in January 2023, this party is currently listed as an unrecognized political party with the Election Commission of India.
While it is legally registered, it has not yet received recognition as a state or national party. As a result, it does not qualify for reserved election symbols or benefits such as free airtime on government media for campaigning. To gain recognition, the party must demonstrate consistent electoral performance and achieve a specified vote share or number of seats in state or national elections.
Financial records indicate that the party has received a total of ₹113,000 in donations, reflecting its limited financial base. Reports suggest that it is registered at an address in Bankura, Howrah district of West Bengal. The party has reportedly engaged in some social activities in Tripura and contested a few seats in the 2023 Assembly elections, but it did not make a significant impact.
During its electoral debut, the NCPI fielded candidates for seven Assembly seats in Tripura, although four nominations were canceled due to technical issues. In the Chawamanu Assembly seat, the party’s candidate, Barjeda Tripura, received only 536 votes, accounting for less than 1.4 percent of the valid votes.
The NCPI candidate in the Kailashahar seat fared even worse, garnering just 286 votes. Overall, the party’s three candidates received fewer than 2,000 votes, indicating limited grassroots electoral presence and support. Reports suggest that party president Uttiya Kundu has remained politically active and maintains close ties with several political leaders.
The party’s treasurer, Shevli Kundu, is also associated with registered social organizations and private companies at the same address in West Bengal. The leadership of the Kundu couple reflects the personal nature of small party politics in India.
Other names mentioned as leaders of the NCPI include Shantanu Dey. In conversations with the media, he stated that the party’s initial focus was on advocating for the interests of marginalized tribal communities in areas under the Autonomous District Council of Tripura.
The move by the rebel TMC MPs has transformed the party from obscurity into a potential key player amid the political crisis in West Bengal. This step appears to be a strategic maneuver to evade anti-defection laws and align itself with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
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