Kharge Presses Modi for All-Party Talks on 2026 Reservation Bill

The proposed bill, which seeks to expand Lok Sabha representation to 850 seats, failed to clear the lower house earlier this year after missing the required two-thirds majority. Kharge’s letter to the Prime Minister highlights a growing frustration over the legislative process, specifically citing the government's failure to engage opposition parties during previous attempts in March and April. By demanding adequate time for review, the Congress president is signaling that the opposition remains wary of the current draft's structure.

Congress leadership is maintaining a firm stance against the bill in its present form. Senior party figure Jairam Ramesh reaffirmed that the party is prepared to block the legislation unless there is a broader consensus. With the Monsoon Session slated for July 20, the government faces a narrow window to reconcile its push for the 131st Amendment with the demands of an increasingly unified opposition bloc.