The Congress has accused Home Minister Amit Shah of masterminding the merger of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), calling it an 'illegal breakaway'.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh launched a sharp attack on Amit Shah, saying he has undermined democratic norms and constitutional values through the move.
The merger, if approved, would significantly weaken the INDIA bloc's capacity to challenge the BJP-led NDA in Parliament.
According to the Congress, the NCPI could potentially emerge as a significant constituent within the NDA, even overtaking established allies like the TDP and JD(U).
The opposition party has expressed concerns that the move is part of a wider strategy to secure a two-thirds majority for the NDA in the Lok Sabha.
