New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to explain the opposition's concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, delimitation and women's reservation. "I have personally written a letter to the Prime Minister, and he has two letters from me," Kharge told reporters.
"I will explain everything to him tomorrow, including the harm caused by the SIR of electoral rolls, the implications of the delimitation exercise they are undertaking, and the issue of reservation for women. Why are they not implementing it?" he said.
On Monday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Kharge's demand for an all-party meeting before Parliament takes up the proposed Delimitation Constitutional Amendment Bill. Rijiju said the government had repeatedly sought the Congress's cooperation through written communications in March and April, and through discussions with Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He said the Congress had not provided dates for discussions despite repeated requests, prompting the government to consult other parties, including the DMK, Samajwadi Party, YSR Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM and BJD.
Rijiju also rejected allegations of procedural impropriety over the delay in proroguing Parliament after the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on August 13, saying there was no constitutional requirement prescribing a specific period. Kharge, in his letters, flagged that 64 days had passed without either House being prorogued, and cautioned against rushing a far-reaching Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Delimitation and women's reservation are at the centre of national politics, with the government seeking consensus on the constitutional amendment bill. Several opposition parties oppose expanding the number of seats and want the women's quota delivered within the existing strength.