Opposition MPs urged me to speak to Rahul, Akhilesh: Rijiju

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said several Opposition MPs privately asked him to speak to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to allow debate on contentious bills. In an interview with India Today, Rijiju said these MPs wanted to discuss the FCRA, Delimitation and Women’s Reservation bills but their leadership blocked participation. He claimed the government had consulted the Opposition before introducing any bill and that meaningful debate did not happen because the Congress and Trinamool Congress stayed away from Lok Sabha discussions.

Meanwhile, in Parliament, Rijiju rejected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s claim that Rajya Sabha chairperson CP Radhakrishnan had directed home minister Amit Shah to make a statement. Livemint reports Rijiju said the chairperson only made an observation. Rijiju added that no direction was issued and that the Opposition cannot decide which minister should come to the House. The Monsoon Session ended with 12 bills passed but very limited debate. The Winter Session is expected to begin in November, with Rijiju expressing hope for fuller parliamentary discussions.