New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Centre has initiated fresh outreach to the Opposition over the proposed Delimitation Bill, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju speaking to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the phone to seek support for its reintroduction.
According to sources, the conversation marked Rijiju’s third attempt during the ongoing Monsoon Session to engage Rahul Gandhi on the issue. The minister reportedly stressed that Opposition backing for the bill would help expedite the implementation of women’s reservation.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to link the delimitation exercise with the implementation of women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, had failed to secure passage in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session in April.
Sources said Rijiju told Rahul Gandhi that any further delay in implementing women’s reservation could lead to disappointment among women across the country.
Rahul Gandhi, however, is understood to have adopted a cautious approach during the conversation. According to sources, he sought more time to consult Congress allies and other constituents of the INDIA bloc before conveying the party’s position on the matter.
He reportedly informed Rijiju that the government’s proposal would be discussed in detail within the Opposition alliance before a formal response is communicated.
Meanwhile, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal reiterated on Wednesday that the party’s stand on the proposed legislation remains unchanged.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Venugopal dismissed speculation about any shift in the Congress position following Rijiju’s outreach.
“Our stand is very clear. Whatever position we took during the last Parliament session, we continue to maintain the same stand. There has been no change,” he said.
Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari had said the Opposition opposed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 during the Budget Session over concerns that it could alter the country’s political and demographic representation under the framework of women’s reservation.
He had maintained that the Opposition remains supportive of women’s reservation if it is implemented within the existing strength of parliamentary and Assembly seats, without linking it to a delimitation exercise.
The proposed legislation has remained a key point of discussion between the government and Opposition, with differing views continuing within the INDIA bloc ahead of any renewed attempt to introduce the bill.
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