Kiren Rijiju Urges Congress to Facilitate Legislative Process in Letter to Kharge
Kiren Rijiju writes to Congress chief Kharge, urging cooperation on the Delimitation Amendment Bill and clarifying parliamentary procedures.
New Delhi, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : Central Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reached out to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the Delimitation Amendment Bill. In his letter, Rijiju detailed the government’s efforts to engage the opposition in discussions about the legislation.
On October 16, Kharge had sent a letter to the Prime Minister, requesting a cross-party meeting before considering the constitutional amendment on delimitation. Rijiju’s response aimed to clarify certain points and document the government’s outreach to the opposition.
Rijiju addressed Kharge’s assertion that 64 days had passed since the House was adjourned indefinitely on August 13, 2026, without being prorogued. He emphasized that the Constitution does not mandate a specific timeframe for proroguing after an indefinite adjournment. The absence of prorogation during this period does not constitute a constitutional or procedural irregularity, he stated.
He referenced historical instances where the House remained unprorogued for extended periods, citing examples from 2008, 1987, 1989, 2006, 2013, and 1963, where adjournments lasted between 41 and 87 days.
Rijiju also pointed out that the government had consistently sought the Congress party’s support for the Delimitation Amendment Bill. He noted previous communications dated March 16, March 26, and April 12, 2026, along with personal discussions with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during the monsoon session. Despite these efforts, the Congress party had not provided a date for discussions, prompting the government to reach out to other political parties.
To build consensus on the proposed legislation, representatives from various parties, including DMK, SP, YSRCP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM, and BJD, have already been consulted. Rijiju expressed confusion over the repeated calls for consultations, asserting that the government has made ample efforts to engage in dialogue.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering meaningful discussions and constructive participation from all political parties on national issues. Rijiju concluded by expressing hope that the Congress party would take a constructive role and not obstruct the passage of crucial upcoming legislation.
