Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused the Congress of failing to cooperate with the government on discussions over the proposed delimitation legislation, despite repeated attempts to engage its leadership.
In a letter to Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Rijiju defended the government's handling of parliamentary proceedings and urged the party to extend its support to the proposed legislation ahead of a likely special session of Parliament.
Responding to Kharge's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an all-party meeting before the constitutional amendment on delimitation is taken up, Rijiju said the government had made sustained efforts to consult the principal Opposition party.
He also defended the delay in proroguing Parliament after the Monsoon Session, arguing that it did not constitute a constitutional or procedural irregularity.
"The Government has consistently sought the Opposition's support and cooperation for the consideration and passage of the Delimitation Amendment Bill," Rijiju wrote in his letter on Monday.
He added that the government had reached out to the Congress on several occasions, including through letters sent on March 16, March 26 and April 12, 2026.
Rijiju also said he had personally discussed the matter with Kharge and met Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, during the Monsoon Session to seek his cooperation.
"However, after repeated requests the Congress Party didn't give dates for discussion after which the Government's outreach had extended to other political parties," the minister said.
DELAY IN PROROGUING PARLIAMENT
Addressing Kharge's objection to Parliament remaining unprorogued for 64 days after both Houses were adjourned sine die on August 13, Rijiju said there was no constitutional requirement prescribing a specific period within which a House must be prorogued.
"The mere fact that a House has not been prorogued during such an interval does not, by itself, give rise to any constitutional or procedural impropriety or irregularity," he wrote.
The minister cited previous instances in which Parliament remained unprorogued for extended periods, including 76 days in 1987, 54 days in 1989, and 49 days each in 2006 and 2013.
He also referred to 2008, when the Lok Sabha met in July for a confidence motion, reconvened in October and met again in December.
According to Rijiju, these precedents demonstrated that the current delay was not unprecedented. The government has maintained that the absence of formal prorogation does not prevent it from convening a special sitting of Parliament.
OUTREACH TO OPPOSITION PARTIES
Rijiju said the government had expanded its consultations after the Congress did not provide dates for discussions.
He named the DMK, Samajwadi Party, YSR Congress Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM and Biju Janata Dal among the parties whose representatives had been consulted to build broader support for the proposed legislation.
Questioning the Congress's repeated demand for an all-party meeting, Rijiju said the government had already made sustained efforts to facilitate dialogue.
"These efforts reflect the Government's firm willingness to undertake consultation and constructive parliamentary engagement," he wrote, reiterating the Centre's commitment to parliamentary democracy and participation by all political parties.
He urged the Congress to cooperate with the government, adding, "I also hope that Congress Party will play a constructive role and will not obstruct important future legislations."
CONGRESS AGAINST DELIMITATION BILL
The proposed legislation has become a point of contention between the government and Opposition parties following the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill linked to delimitation and women's reservation in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026.
The government is now considering a special session later this month to take up constitutional amendment bills concerning delimitation and the implementation of women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Since constitutional amendments require a special majority, the Centre has been reaching out to regional parties to secure wider support.
The Congress, meanwhile, has demanded that both Houses be prorogued and that an all-party dialogue be initiated before the legislation is considered.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has also insisted that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls be suspended before meaningful discussions can begin.
With the government pressing for cooperation and the Congress maintaining its objections, the proposed special session is likely to see further political confrontation over the legislation.
The timing of the session and the extent of support the government can secure from Opposition and regional parties remain key issues as consultations continue.
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