Central Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held another meeting as part of efforts to end the ongoing deadlock during the current Parliament session. The two leaders discussed the smooth functioning of Parliament, the Women's Reservation Bill, proposals related to the Delimitation Bill, and continuing dialogue between the government and the opposition.
According to sources, the primary objective of the meeting was to explore ways to end the parliamentary impasse and assess the possibility of building broad consensus on key legislative proposals. The government believes that the cooperation of the Congress, as the principal opposition party, could further strengthen the democratic process through effective lawmaking.
According to sources, the discussions included the repeated disruptions in Parliament and possible solutions. The government urged the opposition to participate actively in discussions and debates on important bills to help ensure that parliamentary proceedings continue without disruption.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly said that he would hold consultations with parties in the INDIA alliance before continuing discussions with the government, indicating that the opposition intends to move forward with a collective strategy.
The Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill were among the key subjects discussed during the meeting. The government is seeking broad political consensus on both issues.
Government sources said that while the required support to pass the bills is available, the government wants the widest possible political agreement because Congress is the country's principal opposition party. According to the sources, broader consensus could provide wider democratic support to the legislative process.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Kiren Rijiju said he had a positive and meaningful discussion with Rahul Gandhi. He said differences among political parties are natural in a democracy, but dialogue should continue on issues concerning national interest.
Rijiju said the government wants continuous engagement with the Congress and other opposition parties to foster cooperation and coordination in Parliament. He added that political competition is part of democracy but should not become personal hostility.
Rijiju said continued disruption of parliamentary proceedings causes the greatest harm to the democratic process and public interest. He said Parliament's purpose is to enact laws, discuss policies, and debate issues concerning the public.
He also said the government wants all political parties to present their views in the House and participate in meaningful discussions on legislation so that the dignity of democratic institutions is maintained.
The Union minister said senior government ministers have been regularly attending Parliament and participating in legislative business. According to him, ministers whose bills are under consideration remain present in the House throughout the proceedings.
He claimed that several bills have been passed after detailed discussions and that Members of Parliament from different parties have been expressing their views. The government maintains that the parliamentary process is proceeding in accordance with established rules.
Rijiju alleged that some opposition members have been prioritising protests and slogan shouting outside Parliament instead of participating in House proceedings. According to him, this affects parliamentary time and disrupts discussion on important issues.
He also said that if Parliament does not function regularly, newly elected Members of Parliament do not receive adequate opportunities to present their views, affecting democratic dialogue.
The Union minister said all political parties should work together on issues such as education, youth, and national development. According to him, Parliament is not only a forum for political debate but also the country's principal democratic institution for advancing national policies and reforms.
He appealed to all parties to prioritise public interest and cooperate in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament.
