Parliament logjam: Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi over delimitation, FCRA Bills

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday in a bid to resolve the parliamentary deadlock. The meeting, held in Gandhi's Parliament office, lasted nearly 50 minutes and focused on the proposed delimitation Bill and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Bill, 2026.

Sources said Rijiju did not propose extending the ongoing Monsoon Session or convening a special session after Independence Day. Instead, he sought the Congress leader's views on the party's stance on delimitation. The government had reportedly considered a three-day session to push through the women's reservation Bill and the delimitation Bill, but Rijiju said there was no such proposal.

According to sources, Gandhi conveyed to Rijiju that two issues were non-negotiable for the smooth functioning of the House: a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak, and a discussion on the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Congress leaders also reiterated their opposition to any constitutional amendment for the delimitation exercise.

The Congress delegation at the meeting included general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The outreach came on a day when Opposition MPs held a symbolic march within the Parliament complex, questioning Shah's continued absence from the House. Both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions and were adjourned for the day.

This was the second meeting between Rijiju and Gandhi in 10 days. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister had also spoken to the Congress leader over the telephone on Tuesday night as part of efforts to secure Opposition cooperation during the remainder of the Monsoon Session.

On the FCRA Bill, sources said Shah was expected to respond to the debate when the Bill comes up for discussion and passage. Venugopal told reporters that the Leader of the Opposition had made it clear that the FCRA Bill could not be brought in its current form. When asked about a U.S. Congressman's social media post criticising the FCRA, Venugopal said, "Now you see, the mood of Narendra Modi will change within a minute. If the Indian Opposition says something, he will not listen, but this kind of diktat is coming from foreign country, they will now..."

The FCRA Bill is contentious as it empowers a government-appointed authority to take over foreign-funded assets of organisations whose FCRA registration ceases. The Opposition says this gives the Centre sweeping powers over NGOs and religious institutions.

There was no clarity on whether the delimitation Bill, a Constitution amendment Bill requiring a two-thirds majority, would be introduced during the current session, which is scheduled to conclude on August 13. Sources ruled out, for now, the possibility of a special session immediately after Independence Day. The government is assessing political support for the Bill, which failed to muster the required numbers during the Budget Session.

Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha has not conducted Question Hour even once due to disruptions. Five Bills have been passed without debate as the Opposition pressed for discussions on the NEET paper leak, police action against protesting students, and the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple, while demanding statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.