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Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating the Congress party’s demand for retaining the existing strength of the Lok Sabha. Kharge also requested that the Prime Minister convene an all party meeting to discuss the government’s proposals for delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies across the country.
In a letter sent on Thursday, August 27, Kharge listed the Indian National Congress’ three main demands on delimitation. They are:
1. Maintain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 for another 25 years.
2. Maintain the existing state-wise strength in the Lok Sabha for another 25 years.
3. Introduce one-third reservation for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had pointed out on Wednesday, August 26, that it is up to the Union government to call a special session of the Parliament, especially given that the Monsoon Session has not been prorogued yet. “It is up to the government. Whenever Parliament is to be called, it is the government which decides and requests the President to call the session. When the House is not prorogued, then the session can be called,” he told India Today Managing Editor Preeti Choudhry in an interview.
It is in this context that Kharge wrote to the Prime Minister to restate the demand for an all-party meeting. “I am writing now to reiterate this request since the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs has publicly stated in a television interview last night that such a special session of Parliament could well be convened. This perhaps explains the continued delay in the prorogation of the Monsoon Session itself,” the letter said.
He insisted that political parties and state governments be given adequate time to discuss the matter within themselves before the government introduces a special session of Parliament to debate the delimitation Bill.
“This is an issue that has enormous significance for the country. Please do not again try and bulldoze as you attempted on April 16 and 17, 2026,” Kharge concluded his letter.
