Kharge urges Modi to consult opposition on delimitation bill

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday flagged concerns about the handling of delimitation legislation, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting before introducing any fresh Constitutional Amendment proposals on the subject.

In a letter to Modi, Kharge also highlighted what he termed an "unprecedented" delay in proroguing the Monsoon Session of Parliament. According to the Congress leader, 64 days have elapsed since the session was adjourned sine die on August 13, with both Houses remaining to be formally prorogued.

Kharge, who serves as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, noted that he had previously written to the Prime Minister on April 11 requesting such a consultation before any delimitation bill was brought forward. The Congress chief said the government proceeded without this engagement, making the bill public on the evening of April 14 and convening a special session two days later.

The delimitation Constitutional Amendment Bill fell short of the required two-thirds majority during that session, according to Kharge's account. He characterised the proposed legislation as "far-reaching" and cautioned against any efforts to bypass normal parliamentary procedures in reintroducing such measures.