Politics · India · 4 hrs ago
Government says Congress declined talks on proposed delimitation law
The government says it consulted several opposition parties about proposed delimitation legislation, but could not arrange talks with Congress.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Congress did not provide dates for discussions after repeated requests.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an all-party meeting on any new delimitation proposal.
The government says it spoke with parties including the Samajwadi Party, DMK and NCP (SP), while Congress disputes the need for more consultations.
The disagreement has raised expectations of a short Parliament session to consider the legislation.
Delimitation changes the boundaries of electoral constituencies, making the proposal important to political representation.
The government has also rejected Kharge’s criticism of the delay in formally ending the monsoon session, saying there is no fixed constitutional deadline for doing so.
The government said it had been unable to hold delimitation talks with Congress because the party had not provided dates for a discussion.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had consulted representatives of several other opposition parties on the proposed legislation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had called for an all-party meeting and questioned the delay in proroguing the monsoon session.
Rijiju rejected Kharge’s request for further consultation, saying it was unclear why the demand was being repeated.
The government’s response renewed speculation that Parliament could meet for a short session to consider the legislation.
- Who
- The government, represented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
- What
- The government said Congress had not provided dates for talks on proposed delimitation legislation. It said it had consulted other opposition parties.
- When
- Rijiju responded on Monday, October 19, 2026, after Kharge’s letter of October 16.
- Where
- New Delhi. The proposed talks concern legislation to be considered by Parliament.
- Why
- The government said it sought broader consensus and could not hold talks with Congress because it had not provided dates.
Government
Congress
Consultation
Government
The government said it had sought dates from Congress but received none, so it consulted other parties.
Congress
Kharge called for an all-party meeting to discuss any fresh delimitation proposal.
Need for further talks
Government
Rijiju said it was unclear why consultation was being demanded repeatedly after the government had consulted other parties.
Congress
Kharge pressed for consultation on the proposal.
The monsoon session was adjourned indefinitely.
Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for an all-party meeting on any fresh delimitation proposal.
Kiren Rijiju said Congress had not provided dates for talks and that the government had consulted representatives of other parties.
- Proposed legislation
- Delimitation
- Congress president
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Government minister
- Kiren Rijiju, parliamentary affairs minister
- Kharge’s letter
- October 16, 2026
- Monsoon session adjourned
- August 13
What people are saying
When after repeated requests Congress didn't give dates for discussion, govt's outreach extended to other political parties.
The mere fact that a House has not been prorogued does not, by itself, give rise to any constitutional or procedural impropriety or irregularity.