Kharge hits out at Modi over Rijiju's response to delimitation letter

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of showing disrespect to Opposition leaders by delegating the response to his letter to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Kharge had written to Modi proposing an all-party consultation on the contentious issue of delimitation—the redrawing of electoral boundaries—and interpreted the choice of respondent as a slight to the Opposition.

The development underscores growing tensions between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties over the delimitation exercise, which carries significant implications for electoral representation across India. The issue has emerged as a flashpoint in Centre-Opposition relations, with various political groups expressing concerns about the process and its potential impact on their respective electoral prospects.

Kharge's objection reflects the Congress's broader grievances regarding consultation on key policy matters, with the party leadership arguing that such decisions warrant engagement at the highest political levels. The incident highlights the fraught state of parliamentary coordination between the government and Opposition benches, particularly on institutional matters affecting the electoral process.