Kharge asks PM to clarify special session plan, flags delimitation concerns

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking clarity on whether the government plans to convene a special session of Parliament to pass a bill on delimitation. The letter, sent on Thursday, also reiterates the demand for an all-party meeting on the issue before any legislative move.

Kharge's letter follows a televised interview by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who indicated that such a special session could be convened. Kharge noted that this statement "perhaps explains the continued delay in the prorogation of the Monsoon Session itself." The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die over ten days ago, and the government has not yet formally prorogued the session.

The Congress has also questioned the delay in prorogation. In a social media post, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked whether Union Home Minister Amit Shah was still seeking a two-thirds majority to pass a constitutional amendment on delimitation in a special session.

In his letter, Kharge referred to his earlier communication of July 16, in which he had requested an all-party meeting to discuss the government's delimitation proposals and sought adequate time for parties to study them. He reiterated the Congress's position: maintaining the current strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 for another 25 years, keeping the existing state-wise seat distribution unchanged for the same period, and introducing one-third reservation for women from the 2029 elections.

Kharge described the issue as having "enormous significance" for the country and urged the Prime Minister not to "bulldoze" the matter, referencing attempts made on April 16 and 17, 2026. Rijiju, in his interview, said the Monsoon Session has not been prorogued and that the House can be summoned again without formally closing the existing session.