Kiren Rijiju Rejects Kharge’s Parliament Delay Concerns
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has rejected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s concerns over the delay in proroguing Parliament’s Monsoon Session, stating that the Constitution does not prescribe a deadline for the procedure. Responding to Kharge’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rijiju maintained that the 64-day interval since Parliament was adjourned on August 13, 2026, did not constitute a constitutional or procedural irregularity.
Kiren Rijiju Clarifies Parliament Prorogation Rules
Rijiju explained that adjournment sine die, which concludes a House’s sitting without fixing a date for its next meeting, does not automatically require immediate prorogation.
He cited previous parliamentary precedents involving delays of up to 87 days between adjournment and prorogation.
Referring to 2008, Rijiju noted that the Lok Sabha had reconvened for a confidence motion in July and subsequently met again in October without being prorogued.
Mallikarjun Kharge Raises Concerns Over Delimitation Bill
Kharge had written to Prime Minister Modi on October 16, questioning the prolonged delay and seeking an all-party meeting before the government finalised its proposed Delimitation Constitutional Amendment Bill.
The Congress leader warned against introducing far-reaching constitutional changes without adequate consultation with opposition parties.
The proposed legislation concerns the redrawing of electoral constituencies, an issue with significant implications for parliamentary representation.
Government Says Opposition Consultations Already Held
Rijiju maintained that the government had repeatedly approached Congress seeking cooperation on the proposed delimitation legislation.
He alleged that Congress had not provided dates for discussions despite multiple requests.
The minister said consultations had subsequently taken place with representatives of the DMK, Samajwadi Party, YSR Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM and BJD.
Rijiju urged opposition parties to participate constructively in discussions on the proposed legislation as disagreements continue over parliamentary procedures and political consultation.
