Kolkata: In a surprise move, the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) announced Jyotiprakash Chatterji as its president on Tuesday night via a Facebook post, just hours before a scheduled meeting on Wednesday to finalize merger modalities. The meeting in Salt Lake will be attended by nine of the party's ten founder members.
The Facebook post praised Chatterji's leadership but did not include any photograph or details about him, stating that comprehensive information would be shared shortly. Founder member and organisational secretary Santanu Dey expressed ignorance about Chatterji, saying he had never heard of him before.
Meanwhile, Trinamool rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar confirmed the merger, stating the NCPI aims to work for Bengal's development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. However, NCPI founder members await instructions from the new leadership comprising 20 TMC rebel MPs to restructure the party.
An NCPI office-bearer mentioned discussions on rejigging party posts and including ground-level Trinamool workers. The obscure Howrah-based party, which struggled in elections and had minimal funds, has suddenly become the second-largest parliamentary bloc due to the merger.
Another founder member noted ambiguity among members due to the sudden merger, but face-to-face meetings aim to clarify. NCPI vice-president Uttiya Kundu, credited with orchestrating the merger, has held telephonic meetings with founder members. Wednesday's meeting will also discuss future party resolutions, moving beyond the original motto of food, clothing, shelter, health, education, and legal rights.
