‘New category’: Mahua Moitra slams Centre over ‘traitor bench’ seating arrangement for rebel TMC MPs
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra has criticized the Indian government for creating a 'traitor bench' in Parliament to accommodate rebel MPs. The opposition staged a walkout in protest, arguing that the seating arrangement legitimizes lawmakers whose disqualification petitions are still pending.
Why it matters
This highlights significant parliamentary friction and procedural disputes in Indian politics regarding the recognition of political factions and legislative decorum.
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra slammed the government over the seating arrangements and the inclusion of rebel lawmakers in official proceedings, terming it a “traitor bench.”
Speaking to reporters, Ms. Moitra revealed that the joint Opposition staged a walkout during the all-party meeting over the presence of 20 lawmakers facing disqualification petitions. She claimed these members have aligned with an unrecognised faction, the NCPI, despite their merger not yet receiving formal approval from the Speaker.
Parliament Monsoon Session updates on July 20, 2026
The TMC leader argued that the traditional layout of the house has been compromised to accommodate the rebel group, creating what she labelled a new parliamentary classification.
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