New Delhi | Speculation surrounding the future of three Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) gathered momentum after they were absent from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party’s “Mangal Milan” meeting for the second consecutive week. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has firmly rejected reports suggesting that the MPs are planning to leave the party, asserting that the NCPI remains united.
The controversy emerged after Abu Tahir Khan, Khalilurrahman, and former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan did not attend the NDA’s weekly parliamentary gathering held on Tuesday, leading to widespread political speculation.
CM Rejects Defection Rumours
Speaking during his visit to New Delhi, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari dismissed the reports of any internal rift within the party.
Addressing the media, he stated that he had personally met and had lunch with all three MPs shortly before speaking to reporters.
According to the Chief Minister, the lunch included traditional Bengali dishes such as:
- Hilsa (Ilish) Fish
- Prawns
- Chhola Dal
Using the meeting as evidence of unity, Adhikari categorically stated that none of the MPs are leaving the NCPI.
“I have just had lunch with all of them. No one is leaving the NCPI. All 20 MPs are firmly standing with the party,” he said.
His statement sought to put an end to speculation regarding possible defections and internal dissatisfaction within the party.
Absence from NDA Meeting Fuels Speculation
The rumours began after the three NCPI MPs remained absent from the NDA Parliamentary Party’s ‘Mangal Milan’ for the second consecutive Tuesday.
Political observers had interpreted the repeated absence as a possible indication of dissatisfaction or preparations for a political realignment.
However, the Chief Minister’s clarification has significantly reduced speculation regarding any immediate split within the party.
Parliament Witnesses Political Confrontation
Meanwhile, Parliament witnessed heated exchanges between the Treasury Benches and the Opposition, resulting in repeated disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The political atmosphere remained tense as debates and protests affected the functioning of both Houses.
NDA Parliamentary Meeting Focuses on Government Achievements
The NDA Parliamentary Party’s Mangal Milan meeting also featured two major presentations delivered by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, covering the government’s achievements in employment and sports development.
The presentations were aimed at informing NDA MPs about key policy initiatives and national achievements under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Presentation Highlights Employment Growth
During his presentation on employment, Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the government’s achievements in job creation, skill development, and social security.
According to the presentation:
- More than 17.1 crore new jobs were reportedly created during the 2014–2024 period.
- The figure was presented as significantly higher than the 2.9 crore jobs attributed to the previous UPA government.
- India’s unemployment rate reportedly declined to 3.1% in 2025, compared to the global average of 4.8%.
- Initiatives such as Make in India, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and the ₹2 lakh crore Prime Minister’s Package were highlighted as contributors to improved employment opportunities.
- The presentation also stated that employability among India’s youth increased from 34% in 2013 to 56% in 2025.
- According to the government, over 101 crore citizens have been brought under various social security schemes by 2026.
These figures were presented by the government during the NDA meeting and reflect its assessment of policy outcomes.
Sports Achievements Highlighted
In a separate presentation, Mansukh Mandaviya outlined the government’s initiatives to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through programmes such as:
- Khelo India
- Fit India Movement
- Khelo Bharat Policy
- National Sports Governance Act
The minister said that the Khelo India Scheme (2026–2031) has received a substantial budget increase with the objective of helping India become one of the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and among the top five by 2047.
He also highlighted several achievements, including:
- 107 medals at the Asian Games, India’s best-ever performance.
- 111 medals at the Asian Para Games.
- India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.
- Strong performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, including 10 boxing medals, of which seven were gold, and India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in Judo.
The minister further stated that India continues to host major international sporting events and is preparing its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
NDA MPs Discuss Governance and Public Outreach
During the meeting, NDA MPs reportedly discussed both presentations and offered suggestions on strengthening government policies and public engagement.
According to party sources, legislators were encouraged to use social media platforms more actively to connect with Generation Z (Gen Z) and first-time voters, with the aim of communicating the government’s achievements and policy initiatives more effectively.
Political Message of Unity
The controversy over the absence of the three NCPI MPs briefly sparked speculation about possible internal divisions within the alliance. However, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari’s public assertion that all 20 NCPI MPs remain united appears to have eased immediate concerns about defections.
At the same time, the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting served as a platform for highlighting the government’s achievements in employment, sports, and social welfare, while reinforcing coalition coordination ahead of future political and electoral challenges.
