The weekly NDA parliamentary party gathering, called ‘Mangal Milan’, occurred on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Members of the Nationalist Citizen’s Party of India (NCPI), a recent breakaway group from the Trinamool Congress, joined for the first time.
NCPI chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar noted that the party holds Election Commission registration and has received Speaker recognition as part of the NDA, prompting the invitation. Talks continue on seating arrangements and additional recognition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Deb, who recently switched from the TMC to the BJP, recalling her late father’s friendship.
The Prime Minister did not deliver his usual address. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju instead briefed members on the Public Examination (Amendment) Bill, 2026, later debated in the Lok Sabha. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Rajiv Ranjan Singh presented updates on free trade agreements and fisheries sector growth.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other NDA leaders attended.
