New Delhi, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking cooperation on the Delimitation Amendment Bill and expressing hope that the principal Opposition party would play a constructive role and not obstruct important future legislation.
Responding to Kharge’s October 16 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rijiju said the government had consistently sought the Opposition’s support and cooperation for the consideration and passage of the Delimitation Amendment Bill.
“The government has consistently sought the Opposition’s support and cooperation for the consideration and passage of the Delimitation Amendment Bill. The government has reached out to the Congress Party, being the principal Opposition party, on several occasions,” Rijiju wrote.
He said the Congress had not provided dates for discussions despite repeated requests, prompting the government to extend its outreach to other political parties.
“Consultations were held with representatives of parties including the DMK, SP, YSRCP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM and BJD with a view to facilitating dialogue and building a broader consensus in support of the proposed legislation,” Rijiju said.
The minister questioned the repeated demand for consultations, stating that the government had already made sustained efforts to facilitate dialogue.
“In these circumstances, it is not clear why the demand for consultation is being made repeatedly, when the government has already made sustained efforts for dialogue,” he said.
Rijiju reiterated the government’s commitment to the fundamental principles of parliamentary democracy and to facilitating meaningful dialogue through the effective functioning of Parliament.
“We value the participation of all political parties in deliberations and discussions on all matters of national importance. I also hope that the Congress Party will play a constructive role and will not obstruct important future legislation,” he said.
Rijiju said he was responding to Kharge’s request to the Prime Minister for an all-party meeting before the Delimitation Constitutional Amendment was taken up for consideration in Parliament.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, along with the companion Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 16 by Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Constitution Amendment Bill was rejected by the Lok Sabha on April 17.
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