New Delhi, 03 April (H.S.):

The Congress party has criticized the special session of Parliament scheduled for April 16-18 as unilateral. Despite correspondence with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the government appears to have pre-decided the session, treating consultations as mere formality.

Correspondence Timeline

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh detailed the exchange at a Friday press conference. On March 16, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote to Kharge seeking discussion on amending the Nari Shakti Vandan Act. Kharge replied the same day, urging an all-party meeting with a written proposal. Opposition parties on March 24 suggested postponing beyond April 29 due to elections and the Model Code of Conduct.

Rijiju reiterated the request on March 26, but Kharge again called for an inclusive meeting post-April 29. Rijiju ultimately announced the dates unilaterally.

Ramesh noted Rijiju's letters focused solely on the women's reservation act, yet the session also covers delimitation—never discussed with Congress. The three-day session aims to amend the Constitution for women's reservation implementation within 30 months alongside delimitation, timed just before West Bengal (April 23, 29) and Tamil Nadu (April 23) polls.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar