New Delhi, Oct 19: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has urged Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to extend constructive support for the passage of the delimitation-linked Women’s Reservation Bill. He said the government has made repeated efforts to consult opposition parties and build a broader consensus on the proposed constitutional amendment.
Rijiju’s remarks came in response to Kharge’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which the Congress leader sought an all-party meeting before Parliament takes up the Constitution Amendment Bill for consideration.
In his letter, Rijiju emphasized that the government values the participation of all political parties in discussions on matters of national importance. He expressed hope that the Congress would cooperate with the government and avoid obstructing important legislation.
Rijiju Clarifies Parliament Prorogation Issue
Responding to concerns raised by Kharge over the delay in proroguing Parliament, Rijiju said there is no constitutional requirement specifying a fixed period within which a House must be prorogued after being adjourned sine die.
Kharge had pointed out that 64 days had passed since Parliament was adjourned sine die on August 13, 2026.
Rijiju maintained that the delay does not automatically amount to a constitutional or procedural irregularity. He cited previous instances in which Parliament remained unprorogued for extended periods, including 87 days in the past.
He also referred to earlier examples from 1987, 1989, 2006, 2013 and 1963 to support the government’s position.
Government Says It Made Repeated Efforts to Consult Congress
Rijiju said the government had repeatedly approached the Congress leadership to seek support for the proposed Delimitation Amendment Bill and the linked women’s reservation legislation.
According to the minister, he wrote to Kharge on March 16, March 26 and April 12, 2026. He also held personal discussions with the Congress president to seek cooperation on the proposed legislation.
During the Monsoon Session, Rijiju said he personally met Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and requested his support.
However, he alleged that the Congress did not provide dates for discussions despite repeated requests. Following this, the government extended its consultations to other political parties.
DMK, SP, YSRCP and Other Parties Consulted
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the government held discussions with representatives of several political parties to facilitate dialogue and build consensus on the proposed legislation.
The parties mentioned in his letter included the DMK, Samajwadi Party (SP), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM and Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Rijiju questioned the Congress’s repeated demand for consultations, stating that the government had already made sustained efforts to engage with opposition parties.
He argued that the next step should be constructive cooperation from the opposition rather than repeatedly calling for meetings without acknowledging the consultations already undertaken.
Rijiju Appeals for Constructive Parliamentary Cooperation
Rijiju reiterated that the government remains committed to parliamentary democracy, meaningful dialogue and cooperation among political parties.
He said the government is willing to continue engaging with the opposition on legislation of national importance. He also urged the Congress to play a constructive role in the legislative process.
The proposed legislation linking women’s reservation with delimitation has become a subject of political discussion, with the government seeking support for its passage and the Congress demanding an all-party meeting before Parliament considers the constitutional amendment.
The coming discussions are expected to remain important for efforts to secure broader political consensus on the proposed women’s reservation legislation.
