The deadlock in Parliament showed no signs of easing on Wednesday as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi in an attempt to break the impasse. However, according to sources, the Congress leader declined the government's request to cooperate on key legislation, insisting that the Opposition's demands be addressed first.
Rijiju meets Rahul amid Parliament impasse
Sources quoted by NDTV said Kiren Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi in his chamber shortly after the Lok Sabha was adjourned within minutes of convening due to continued sloganeering by Opposition members.
During the meeting, Rijiju reportedly sought the Congress's support for the Delimitation Bill and the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, which the government is keen to reintroduce in the ongoing Monsoon Session.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi turned down the request. He is said to have conveyed that there could be no legislative business until the government agreed to a discussion on the alleged donation theft at the Ram Mandir and Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement on the police action during the July 20 student protest in Delhi.
After the meeting, Rijiju held discussions with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Amit Shah regarding the continuing deadlock, sources added.
Opposition stands firm on demands
The government's efforts to move forward with the Delimitation Bill have reportedly been affected by the continued disruptions in the House.
Sources said the Centre had hoped to push the legislation during the current session after gaining strength in the Lok Sabha following defections from the Trinamool Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena.
The Opposition has continued to demand a statement from Amit Shah over the police action against students and has also sought a discussion on the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft.
Repeated disruptions continue
The Lok Sabha was again adjourned on Wednesday amid protests by Opposition MPs.
As the House assembled, Speaker Om Birla urged members to allow Question Hour to proceed.
"Sloganeering, whether inside or outside the House, is not good for democracy. By showing placards and sloganeering, you are lowering the dignity of the House," Birla told Opposition members.
He also noted that several MPs had important questions listed but the House was unable to conduct Question Hour because of the repeated disruptions.
Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha has been unable to complete Question Hour, while five bills have been passed without discussion amid the continuing din.