New Delhi : The Congress party has raised concerns regarding the unusual delay in the formal prorogation of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which concluded its sittings over three weeks ago. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged on Monday that the government is intentionally keeping the session in a state of suspension to buy time for securing the necessary legislative support for the Delimitation Bills.
Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which commenced on July 20, was adjourned sine die on August 13 following 19 sittings. Despite 25 days having elapsed since the adjournment, the government has yet to issue the formal order to prorogue the session. Ramesh noted that typically, this administrative process is completed within three to four days of an adjournment.
Allegations of Legislative Maneuvering:
Drawing a parallel to the 2015 Monsoon Session, which saw a 28-day gap before prorogation, Ramesh claimed the current delay is a strategic move. He alleged that the government is attempting to gather a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, a threshold required for constitutional amendments related to delimitation. He described the session as being kept on a ventilator while the Union Home Minister allegedly seeks the numbers needed to pass the contentious legislation.
The Congress leader further questioned the government’s approach, suggesting that the administration is struggling to overcome the political limitations of its current standing. This follows a significant legislative setback in April, when a Constitution Amendment Bill concerning delimitation and women’s reservation failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. During that vote, the government secured 298 votes in favor, falling short of the 352 required for a two-thirds majority.
Context of the Monsoon Session:
The Monsoon Session was marked by frequent disruptions and intense debate. While 12 bills were passed during the session, the majority were cleared without extensive discussion as opposition members protested against various issues, including the NEET paper leak, concerns over Ram Temple donations, and police actions against student protesters. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was the only piece of legislation to undergo a formal debate in the House.
The government has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations regarding the delay in prorogation. As the political standoff continues, the status of the Delimitation Bills remains a focal point of tension between the ruling administration and the opposition, with the lack of a formal end to the parliamentary session fueling speculation about the government’s legislative agenda.
