The Centre has stepped up efforts to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session, which began on July 20 and is scheduled to continue until August 13. Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been repeatedly disrupted amid continued protests by opposition parties.
According to the report, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held an urgent meeting with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in his chamber to seek cooperation for taking up key legislations, including the delimitation-linked bill tied to the Women’s Reservation proposal and an amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation framework. Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal were among those present.
The government is said to be keen on passing a measure that would enable 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, alongside a delimitation exercise. The report states that the Lok Sabha’s strength is proposed to rise from 543 to 850 seats, with the exercise to be based on the 2011 population, requiring the 131st Constitutional Amendment and a two-thirds majority.
During the hour-long discussion, Rijiju requested Congress support to debate and pass the bills. Rahul, however, reportedly said Congress would state its position formally and made it clear that support would not be possible unless the party’s concerns are fully addressed.
Rahul also asked whether senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would respond in Parliament on issues raised by Congress, including alleged irregularities related to donations for the Ram temple and the police lathi-charge on students. With no consensus reached, the report indicates the likelihood of continued disruptions in Parliament.
