Mumbai

The rebel MPs of the Trinamool Congress who have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India no longer have any claim on the parent party, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Monday.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who belongs to the rebel group, said on Sunday that they would fight a legal battle to seek recognition as the real TMC and secure its poll symbol.

"Merger with the NCPI was the only option for the rebel MPs (to avoid disqualication). So their claim on the TMC and its symbol is over," said Raut, whose own party lost its original name and election symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led Sena following a spllit in 2022.

Raut further said the rebel MPs merged with the NCPI despite the candidates of the little-known Tripura-based outfit losing their deposits in the West Bengal assembly elections.

He accused the BJP of forming parties like the NCPI and pushing opposition MPs into them "like they were slaves".

The battle for control of the Mamata Banerjree-led TMC is being fought simultaneously in Parliament and the West Bengal Assembly.

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Last week, 64 of the party's 80 MLAs broke away and secured recognition as a separate formation, with their leader Ritabrata Banerjee being recognised as Leader of Opposition.

The decision has been challenged by the Mamata Banerjee-led group before the Calcutta High Court.