Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 9 (ANI): All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader Kirti Azad on Tuesday dismissed a viral social media post claiming that a 'separate group' of 20 TMC Members of Parliament is set to extend support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), calling it a 'fake and fabricated' list floated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

https://x.com/KirtiAzaad/status/2064150357857665146?s=20

Taking to X, Kirti Azad claimed that the attempt to create a rift within the party has failed and asserted that several MPs mentioned in the list have already denied signing any such documents.

'This fake and fabricated list has been floated by the BJP. Six out of these have categorically denied having signed on any documents/papers. Operation Lotus has failed. Amit Shah has failed,' Azad wrote on X.

A viral graphic circulating on social media has claimed that a 'separate group' of 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament is set to extend support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

The claim, which has surfaced amid the ongoing political developments in the national capital, lists several prominent TMC leaders and newly elected MPs. According to the viral image, the group allegedly includes Kakoli Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, Partha Bhowmick, Pratima Mondal, Bapi Halder, Mala Roy, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Prasun Banerjee, June Malia, Sharmila Sarkar, Asit Kumar Mal, Mitali Bag, Deepak Adhikari (Dev), Kalipada Soren, Arup Chakraborty, Yusuf Pathan, Rachna Banerjee, Abu Taher Khan, and Saugata Roy.

It is claimed in the circulating post that these 20 lawmakers have formed a distinct faction within the Mamata Banerjee-led party to back the NDA government.

However, there has been no official confirmation from any of the mentioned leaders or the TMC leadership regarding such a move.

On Monday, Azad accused the BJP of spreading lies about the internal situation in Trinamool Congress, which is facing dissentions, saying 'it's fake and fabricated narrative'.

He alleged 'blackmailing, coaxing' and that threats were being given of using probe agencies.

He also said that the rebel faction does not have 20 MPs and that the entire episode has become a 'prestige issue' for Home Minister Amit Shah.

'BJP is spreading lies. It's fake and fabricated narrative. In the meanwhile, blackmailing Coaxing, trying to bribe, threaten, with ED, CBI and with dire consequences with the Police. They don't have 20 MPs. They are desperate. It has become a prestige issue for Amit Shah,' he said in a post on X. (ANI)