Government Seeks Cooperation from Congress to End Parliamentary Stalemate

Efforts to Resolve Parliamentary Deadlock

In an attempt to resolve the ongoing deadlock in both houses of Parliament, the government reached out to the main opposition party, Congress, on Wednesday. They requested cooperation to ensure smooth proceedings for the remaining days of the monsoon session. Since the session commenced on July 20, continuous protests from the opposition have led to repeated disruptions in parliamentary activities. There are discussions in some political circles about potentially convening a special session after Independence Day to reintroduce the delimitation bill and the Nari Shakti Vandan (Amendment) Bill, which were not passed in the previous session.

Current Legislative Agenda

However, government sources indicated that there are no immediate plans to take such steps. It remains uncertain whether the delimitation bill will be presented before the monsoon session concludes on August 13. Meanwhile, during the discussion and passage of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to address the Parliament.

Opposition's Concerns

The opposition has been consistently questioning Shah's absence during the proceedings. On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. Sources revealed that their discussion focused on various issues related to ending the stalemate in parliamentary proceedings.

Ongoing Issues in the Monsoon Session

This meeting occurred amid ongoing disruptions in the monsoon session, particularly concerning the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and police actions against students. Since the start of the session, there has not been a single day of question hour in the Lok Sabha, and five bills have been passed without discussion amidst the chaos.

Opposition Protests

Initially, opposition parties protested over the NEET question paper leak and the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple. They later demanded discussions regarding police actions against students protesting the NEET paper leak. The opposition has also called for the presence and statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister in the house.

Call for Cooperation

During the meeting, Rijiju sought Rahul Gandhi's cooperation to end the ongoing deadlock in Parliament. On Wednesday, due to the opposition's uproar, the Lok Sabha proceedings were suspended until 2 PM, and later, the session was adjourned for the day.

Disruptions During Question Hour

When the Lok Sabha session began at 11 AM, Speaker Om Birla initiated the question hour, but opposition members started creating a ruckus. They raised issues regarding the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple and reiterated their demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police actions against protesting students in Delhi. Birla urged Congress and other opposition members to allow the question hour to proceed, emphasizing its importance and the opportunity it provides for members.

Maintaining Parliamentary Decorum

He appealed for cooperation in conducting the question hour, assuring that all issues would be discussed afterward. Birla also addressed members shouting slogans and waving posters near the podium, stating, "Sloganeering inside or outside the house is not appropriate for democracy. You are attempting to undermine the dignity of the house through organized protests and poster displays."