Can NCPI reshape Bengal politics after claiming support of 20 MPs? Party stakes claim to Bengal's biggest bloc

The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a registered but unrecognized outfit, said on Monday that it had become the “largest parliamentary bloc from West Bengal” after the merger of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs.

The party, which had been largely obscure until now, said the development had lifted it into the national spotlight and altered the state’s parliamentary balance.

A large contingent of central paramilitary personnel was deployed outside a property linked to the party in Howrah district from Monday morning.

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Behind the gate, a tale unfolds

The address linked to NCPI was traced to the Sankrail area of Howrah district. The property is owned by Uttiya Kundu and his wife, Shewly, whom local residents said had moved to the area from Nadia district about eight years ago, per the New Indian Express.

Graffiti reading “Jago Biswa” was visible on one of the walls, along with another wall marking that read "Unorganized Women Workers’ Association."

On the main gate, signage described Uttiya Kundu as an "editor of a Bengali newspaper, a math teacher, an auditor, a health consultant, and a yoga volunteer," while Shewly Kundu was identified as an “advocate at Calcutta High Court."

The arithmetic of ambition

The party also backed up its claim with a graphic showing the division of West Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha seats, with NCPI shown at 20, BJP at 12, TMC at eight and Congress at one.

In its social media posts, NCPI said, "With 20 Lok Sabha seats, NCPI emerges as the largest parliamentary force from West Bengal, shaping the state’s voice at the national level,” and added, "The numbers speak for themselves. Leadership, representation, and the mandate of the people continue to define the future of West Bengal and India.”

The party separately welcomed all 20 rebel TMC MPs, saying their “long-term political experience, grassroots contacts, and commitment to people would strengthen the party and make it prosperous."

Bengal's political chessboard shifts again

The development comes after a series of political shifts in Bengal that have unsettled the Trinamool Congress.

NCPI had gained prominence in less than a day after the merger. Among those speaking publicly was Santanu Dey, who identified himself as one of NCPI’s founder members and national organizing secretary. “This will allow our party to grow and help us to work for the country. We support PM Modi and wish to work as an NDA partner,” he said.

He also said he would go to Delhi if Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar invited him for talks.

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A small outfit draws large attention

The party’s sudden rise is tied not only to the merger itself but also to the symbolism of its claimed parliamentary strength and the attention now being paid to its local base in Howrah.

NCPI’s social media assertions, the visible security presence around the linked property, and the party’s new alignment with rebel TMC MPs have together turned a little-known organization into one of the most closely watched developments in Bengal politics.

FAQs

Q1: What is the NCPI and why is it in the news?

Ans: The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) is a registered political party that claims to have become West Bengal’s largest parliamentary bloc after 20 rebel TMC MPs joined it.

Q2: How many Lok Sabha seats does NCPI claim to hold from West Bengal?

Ans: NCPI claims it now has the support of 20 Lok Sabha MPs from West Bengal, making it the state’s largest parliamentary bloc.