Mallikarjun Kharge urges Modi to hold all‑party meeting on delimitation bill

Kharge’s fourth letter to the prime minister

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday sent his fourth written appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking the government to convene an all‑party meeting before any further deliberation on the Constitution Amendment Bill dealing with delimitation. In the letter, Kharge described the 64‑day lapse since the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on 13 August as “unprecedented” and warned the government not to “bulldoze” another far‑reaching amendment through Parliament.

Timeline of requests and parliamentary events

• 11 April – Kharge’s first letter to Modi sought an all‑party meeting before the delimitation bill was introduced.
• 14 April (evening) – The government made the bill public and called a special session for 16 April.
• 17 April – The Delimitation Constitutional Amendment Bill failed to achieve the required two‑thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
• 16 July and 27 August – Kharge wrote again, reiterating the request for a joint meeting.
• 13 August – The Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die; both houses remain un‑prorogued, marking a 64‑day gap.

Kharge’s latest letter repeats the earlier appeal, insisting that “all political parties must be given sufficient time to deliberate among themselves, with each other and with all the other stakeholders.” He cautioned the prime minister against repeating a process that, in his view, led to the bill’s defeat earlier this year.

Government’s stance and the broader context

While the Congress leader’s demand underscores the opposition’s call for broader consensus, the Modi administration has highlighted the need for continuity in governance and the smooth functioning of parliamentary business. The delay in proroguing the Monsoon Session, though unusual, has been attributed to a series of disruptions during the session, including debates over the Ram Temple offerings, a NEET examination paper leak, and related law‑and‑order concerns.

The prime minister’s office has not issued a formal response to Kharge’s latest letter. However, senior officials have repeatedly stressed that the government remains committed to democratic procedures and to ensuring that any constitutional amendment enjoys the requisite parliamentary support.

What comes next?

Analysts note that an all‑party meeting, if convened, could provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the technical aspects of delimitation – a process that reshapes constituency boundaries based on demographic changes. Such a dialogue may help avoid future parliamentary deadlocks and reinforce the perception of a stable, consultative democratic process.

For now, the political focus remains on whether the prime minister will accede to the request and schedule a meeting that includes the opposition, regional parties and civil society representatives. The outcome could set a tone for how contentious constitutional reforms are handled in the current parliamentary term.

Reactions from the Congress ranks

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh shared Kharge’s letter on the social platform X, reiterating the party’s view that the delay in proroguing the session is “unprecedented” and that the government should allow adequate time for deliberation before moving forward with any new amendment.

The episode adds another chapter to the ongoing dialogue between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition on issues of parliamentary procedure and constitutional change, underscoring the importance of cross‑party engagement in India’s vibrant democracy.