oppn-will-take-collective-stand-on-delimitation-bill-kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said opposition parties will discuss the proposed Delimitation Bill and take a collective stand, while reiterating that the Congress' position on the issue remains clear.

 

The Delimitation Bill, linked to women's reservation and proposing an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats, was defeated in the House during the extended Budget Session. The government is now making efforts to reach out to the Congress over the proposed legislation.

 

Speaking to reporters in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, Kharge said the views of individual parties would be considered before the opposition arrives at a common position.

 

“In a democracy, we cannot tie anyone's hands, nor can we suppress their thoughts. However, our position is clear. We will abide by the decision reached collectively by all the parties,” he said.

 

The Congress has opposed the proposed delimitation exercise, arguing that one-third reservation for women should instead be implemented within the existing strength of 543 Lok Sabha seats.

 

Congress leader Manish Tewari also criticised the proposed increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha, saying delimitation would not be in the interest of North India, South India or the Northeast.

 

“If you want to implement women's reservation, go ahead and reserve one-third of the 543 seats for women,” Tewari said, questioning the proposal to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to around 850 members.

 

Kharge also said the Congress would oppose the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill. He said opposition floor leaders would discuss the strategy at their meeting on Monday.

 

The FCRA Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, with the stated objective of strengthening transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions. Several opposition parties have raised concerns over its provisions.

 

Kharge said the Congress would “vehemently oppose” the proposed changes and claimed the government could not “bulldoze” the legislation through Parliament.

 

His visit to Uttarakhand is also aimed at energising Congress workers ahead of next year's Assembly elections. Kharge said the party was working to strengthen its organisation in the state and defeat the BJP government in the upcoming polls.