New Delhi, July 31 -- With three of NCPI leaders belonging to the minority community having skipped the NDA 'Mangal Milan' meeting held on Tuesday, the party has sought to reject speculation of a rift but Trinamool Congress leaders said that the three parliamentarians do not wish to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

NCPI leaders Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan did not attend the NDA meeting, the first time the party had attended the meeting of the ruling alliance at the Centre.

Twenty rebel Trinamool Congress MPs had left the party after its defeat in the assembly polls and announced that they are joining the Nationalist Citizens Party of India. The party said it will support NDA.

TMC MP Saugata Roy on Fr...