TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has moved the Supreme Court seeking an early decision on disqualification pleas against 20 rebel party MPs. The TMC alleges that the MPs abandoned the party and aligned with another political formation after being elected on the TMC symbol, arguing that this attracts anti-defection provisions. The rebel MPs, however, claim their move constitutes a valid merger. A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Surya Kant is scheduled to hear Banerjee’s plea on August 25. The petition also names Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the House Secretary General. Watch