New Delhi : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting before finalising a fresh constitutional amendment bill on the delimitation of electoral constituencies, stressing that major constitutional changes should not be undertaken without meaningful consultations with political parties.
In his fourth letter to Modi on the issue, Kharge said the views of all political parties must be heard before fresh proposals are formulated on delimitation. He also called for adequate time for parties to examine and debate the proposed changes.
Kharge cautioned against pushing bills through Parliament without sufficient discussion and consensus-building.
Kharge also expressed concern that the formal process for sine die adjournment of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had reportedly not been completed, even 64 days after the monsoon session was adjourned sine die. He said the situation had raised several questions.
The Congress president demanded that both Houses resume their sittings to allow discussion on important constitutional issues, including delimitation.
Previous bill failed to secure required majority
According to Kharge’s account, his first letter on delimitation was sent on April 11. The Centre subsequently convened a special session of Parliament on April 16, and a constitutional amendment bill concerning delimitation was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 17. The bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority.
Kharge later sought an all-party meeting on July 16 and August 27. In his latest communication, he reiterated the demand for consultations before any fresh bill is finalised.
