# BJP denies claim 17 NCPI MPs will join party

2026-09-14T19:16:27+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has rejected claims that 17 of the 20 NCPI Lok Sabha MPs will join the party. Bhattacharya said the people of the state have not forgotten the atrocities committed under the previous TMC regime. Another BJP spokesperson said wanting to join does not guarantee acceptance. The claim was made by NCPI MP Jagadish Basunia, who said 17 MPs would cross over to the BJP before or after Durga Puja, protected by anti-defection law as they form more than two-thirds of the group. But other NCPI MPs including Abu Taher Khan and Satabdi Roy said Basunia spoke in his personal capacity. Khan said he would not join the BJP or NDA. The Lok Sabha had issued notices to the 20 MPs on disqualification petitions, with a revised reply deadline of September 22.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four sources report the same event: Basunia's claim and its rejection by the BJP and other NCPI MPs. The coverage is uniformly neutral, basing every sentence on direct statements. BusinessToday.in leads with the BJP denial, Times of India with the claim itself, Livemint.com offers the most detailed back-and-forth, and Free Press Journal includes the sharpest denial from Abu Taher Khan. No source introduces an editorial slant. The story is a classic he-said-she-said before any action can happen. The only development to watch is the September 22 deadline for the MPs to reply to the Lok Sabha disqualification notices, which will test the group's coherence.

## Coverage

- businesstoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/people-havent-forgotten-west-bengal-bjp-rejects-claim-17-ncpi-mps-will-join-party-555460-2026-09-14?utm_source=rssfeed>
  Leads with BJP denial before Basunia's claim
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/17-ncpi-mps-to-join-bjp-soon-samik-bhattacharya-reacts-to-claim-by-rebel-tmc-leader-jagadish-chandra-barma-basunia-11789393433562.html>
  Thoroughly reports all sides, longest source
- freepressjournal.in (neutral report) <https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/17-of-20-ncp-mps-will-join-bjp-soon-claims-rebel-mp-jagadish-basunia-bjp-and-leaders-deny-defection-rumours>
  Includes sharpest denial quote from Abu Taher Khan
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/17-rebel-tmc-parliamentarians-will-join-bjp-before-or-soon-after-puja-ncpi-mp/articleshow/134249206.cms>
  Leads with the claim, includes sarcasm from TMC MP

Tags: BJP, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, NCPI, Samik Bhattacharya, Trinamool Congress, West Bengal
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