Kolkata, June 14 -- The rebel faction within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday claimed that its strength in the Lok Sabha has risen to 22 MPs and said it would approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc.
TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar made the claim while leaving for New Delhi on Sunday morning to attend a meeting of the dissident camp.
She said the group, which had earlier claimed the support of 20 MPs, had now been joined by two more parliamentarians whose names would be disclosed once they formally joined the faction.
"We are going to Delhi for a meeting. There are 22 MPs with us," Kakoli told reporters at Kolkata airport.
She added that the Speaker had given them an appointm...