Kharge urges PM to consult all parties before fresh delimitation move

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday, October 16, 2026, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the government’s fresh proposals on delimitation before any legislation is brought to Parliament. Warning against attempts to “bulldoze” a far-reaching Constitutional Amendment Bill without adequate consultation, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha pressed for sufficient time for political parties to deliberate and consult stakeholders.

Kharge’s demand for all-party consultation

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Kharge called for a comprehensive dialogue with all political parties ahead of finalising the new proposals on delimitation. “Please convene an all-party meeting to have a detailed discussion on your new proposals before they are finalised for consideration in Parliament,” he wrote, underscoring the need for wider political consensus on a measure of significant constitutional and electoral consequence.

“Please do not once again try and bulldoze a far-reaching Constitutional Amendment Bill through Parliament as you attempted earlier, and that met its well-deserved fate,” he added, referring to the government’s previous attempt to push similar legislation that did not pass the lower House.

Speculation over numbers in Lok Sabha

Mr. Kharge’s letter comes amid speculation in political circles that the government has reached out to regional parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), to shore up support for a Constitutional Amendment Bill on delimitation. According to these discussions, the government is seeking to secure the two-thirds majority — estimated at 362 votes in the 543-member Lok Sabha — necessary for passage.

Concerns over delay in proroguing Monsoon Session

The Congress chief also flagged what he termed an “unprecedented” procedural delay concerning the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The session was adjourned sine die on August 13, but both Houses had yet to be prorogued 64 days after the adjournment, he pointed out in his letter. The prolonged interval has fuelled opposition concerns about potential legislative moves without adequate advance notice or consultation.

Timeline of earlier attempts and correspondence

Mr. Kharge recalled that he first wrote to the Prime Minister on April 11 requesting an all-party meeting before the government introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill on delimitation. Despite that appeal, the Bills were made public late on April 14, he said, and a special session of Parliament followed on April 16.

On April 17, the proposed amendment failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. Since then, Mr. Kharge said he had reiterated his demand for consultations in letters dated July 16 and August 27. His October 16 communication marks the fourth such request for an all-party discussion before any renewed legislative push.

Party reactions and public messaging

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh amplified Mr. Kharge’s latest letter on X, noting the Opposition’s concerns about both the delay in proroguing the Monsoon Session and any moves the government may be planning in relation to delimitation. He shared details of the correspondence while reiterating the party’s call for formal, inclusive consultations.

What to watch next

With the Opposition demanding a structured all-party meeting and the government reportedly canvassing support for a fresh Constitutional Amendment Bill on delimitation, the immediate focus will be on whether the Centre convenes cross-party discussions before finalising any proposals. The outcome of these consultations — or the lack thereof — is likely to determine the legislative trajectory and the tenor of the debate when Parliament next takes up the issue.

Mr. Kharge’s letter frames the stakes in procedural as well as political terms: the Opposition insists that a measure of such scope must be preceded by wide-ranging deliberation, while the government’s success will hinge on building the numbers needed to pass a constitutional amendment in the Lok Sabha.