Rijiju calls Rahul Gandhi for delimitation bill support, third outreach this session
Synopsis
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has now called Rahul Gandhi three times this Monsoon Session seeking support for the delimitation bill — and Gandhi has stayed non-committal each time. With Congress holding its April stance and the INDIA bloc divided, the government's bid to revive the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 is running into the same wall that defeated it in April.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju called Rahul Gandhi on 6 August — his third outreach this Monsoon Session — seeking support for the delimitation bill.
Gandhi remained non-committal , seeking time to consult Congress allies and INDIA bloc partners.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session in April .
Venugopal confirmed on Wednesday that the party's position on the bill is unchanged from April.
The Opposition has said it remains open to women's reservation within the existing parliamentary seat framework , without linking it to delimitation.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday, 6 August telephoned Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to seek Congress support for the reintroduction of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 — the delimitation bill that was defeated in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session in April. This was Rijiju's third attempt to discuss the matter with Gandhi during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
What Rijiju Told Gandhi
According to sources, Rijiju argued that Opposition backing for the bill's early reintroduction would accelerate the implementation of women's reservation. He reportedly warned that failure to implement women's reservation would generate resentment among women voters. The government has consistently framed the delimitation exercise as a precondition for operationalising the reservation.
Gandhi Stays Non-Committal
During the call, Gandhi reportedly declined to give an immediate answer and sought additional time to consult Congress allies and constituents of the INDIA bloc. According to sources, Gandhi indicated that the Opposition's collective stand would be communicated to the government after internal deliberations. The INDIA bloc has appeared divided on the bill ahead of the Monsoon Session.
Congress Holds Its Ground
A day earlier, on Wednesday, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal made the party's position explicit outside Parliament. 'Our stand is very clear. Whatever position we took during the last Parliament session, we continue to maintain the same stand. There has been no change,' Venugopal told reporters. He also pushed back on reports of any fresh engagement, saying: 'There are rumours that he spoke about delimitation and that we suggested we would come back with a response, but there is nothing like that.'
Why the Bill Was Defeated in April
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was blocked in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session after the Opposition put up stiff resistance. Congress MP Manish Tewari had stated at the time that the bill was being used as a cover to alter the political and demographic map of the country under the guise of women's reservation. The Opposition has, however, signalled openness to supporting women's reservation if implemented within the existing framework of parliamentary seats — without linking it to a fresh delimitation exercise.
What Happens Next
With the INDIA bloc yet to firm up a unified position and Congress maintaining its April stance, the government faces an uphill task in securing cross-party support for reintroduction during the Monsoon Session. The outcome of Gandhi's consultations with bloc partners will be closely watched as a signal of whether a legislative path forward exists before the session concludes.
Point of View
The Centre has handed the Opposition a politically comfortable veto: no party loses votes by opposing delimitation while claiming to support women's reservation. The INDIA bloc's internal divisions are real, but Congress has little electoral incentive to break ranks when the government's own framing gives it cover. Unless the government decouples the two issues — or offers something the bloc cannot refuse — the bill is likely headed for another defeat or indefinite deferral.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kiren Rijiju seeking Rahul Gandhi's support for the delimitation bill?
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session in April, and the government needs Opposition support to reintroduce and pass it. Rijiju has argued that the bill is necessary to implement women's reservation in Parliament and state Assemblies.
What is the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026?
It is a proposed constitutional amendment that links a fresh delimitation exercise — redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries — with the implementation of women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. The bill was blocked by the Opposition in April 2026.
Why did the Opposition defeat the delimitation bill in April?
The Opposition, led by Congress, argued the bill was being used as a cover to alter the political and demographic map of the country under the guise of women's reservation. Congress MP Manish Tewari stated the party remains open to women's reservation only if implemented within the existing seat framework.
What is Rahul Gandhi's current position on the bill?
Gandhi remained non-committal during the 6 August call, saying he would consult Congress allies and INDIA bloc partners before conveying a clear stand. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal separately confirmed on Wednesday that the party's position is unchanged from April.
Is the INDIA bloc united on the delimitation bill?
No. Ahead of the Monsoon Session, the INDIA bloc appeared divided over the bill. Gandhi's decision to consult allies before responding to Rijiju reflects the coalition's lack of a unified position on the issue.
