Parliament Monsoon Session Opens With Tensions Over Rebel MPs and Bills

The monsoon session of Parliament began today, marked by a contentious standoff between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition parties over key issues, including the recognition of 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs who have aligned with the NDA under the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).

The session, scheduled for 19 sittings until August 13, is expected to feature intense debates on national controversies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the media before the session starts.

Opposition parties have targeted the NCPI, which they allege is a temporary arrangement for the rebel MPs. Yesterday, opposition leaders staged a symbolic walkout to protest Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's decision to invite the NCPI to an all-party meeting. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and Trinamool's Mahua Moitra argued that the Lok Sabha Speaker has not yet officially approved the merger of the rebel MPs with the NCPI, making their recognition illegal.

Speaker Om Birla has allowed separate seating for the 20 MPs, pending a final decision on the merger. Rijiju dismissed the walkout as symbolic, stating that the government cannot deny any MP their rights based on numerical strength. NCPI chief Sudip Bandyopadhyay defended his faction, calling it a secular party committed to communal harmony, noting that three of the 20 rebel MPs are Muslim.

The current strength of the Lok Sabha is 540, with three seats vacant. The NDA holds 298 seats. If the Speaker approves the merger, the NDA's strength would rise to 318, bringing it closer to a two-thirds majority (360 seats).

Among the bills expected to be tabled is the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats to 850 and implementing a 33 per cent women's reservation. This bill was defeated in April, with opposition from parties like the DMK, who argued it would reduce the political representation of southern states.

Other key bills include the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which would increase the maximum number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, replacing an ordinance. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which establishes a designated authority to manage and dispose of foreign assets and imposes stricter rules for cancelling NGO FCRA certificates, is also expected to spark debate.

Speaker Om Birla has urged all parties to ensure constructive debates. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh has submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the NEET-UG paper leak. The opposition also plans to raise the Ayodhya Ram Temple offerings theft case.