New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday after returning from his overseas visit to review the party’s political strategy ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. According to party sources, the senior leaders discussed several key issues, including the Punjab Congress leadership dispute, the NEET and CBSE examination controversies, the Opposition’s parliamentary strategy against the NDA government, and concerns over the proposed Delimitation Bill.
The high-level meeting also reportedly included discussions on recent developments related to the alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft case, which the Congress intends to raise during the parliamentary session.
Punjab Congress Leadership Crisis Remains Unresolved
According to party insiders, one of the major topics during the meeting was the ongoing internal conflict within the Punjab Congress. However, no final decision was reached regarding the leadership issue.
The dispute became more visible during the recent Punjab visit of AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, where differences between party leaders surfaced publicly. A faction led by former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and senior leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has reportedly demanded the replacement of Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, despite the party leadership recently deciding to retain him in the position.
Congress to Expand National Campaign on NEET and CBSE Issues
The meeting also focused on the party’s nationwide campaign against the alleged NEET examination paper leak and concerns regarding the management of CBSE examinations.
Rahul Gandhi launched the campaign on June 17 from Kota, Rajasthan, a major coaching hub for competitive examinations. The next phase was originally scheduled to take place in Patna on July 15, but has now been shifted to Dehradun and is expected to be held on July 17.
Congress leaders have alleged that the Uttarakhand government is delaying permission for the proposed student rally for political reasons. However, the party says it remains committed to organizing the event at the planned venue.
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has been leading protests across the country, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the NEET controversy.
Opposition Strategy for Parliament’s Monsoon Session
Another major focus of the meeting was preparing the Opposition’s strategy for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled from July 20 to August 13.
According to Congress sources, the party plans to aggressively question the NDA government on several national issues, including:
- NEET and CBSE examination controversies
- MGNREGA implementation
- Foreign funding-related matters
- India’s foreign policy
- The country’s economic situation
- The alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft case
Congress leaders have demanded that the alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft be investigated by a Supreme Court judge, instead of only by the special investigation team constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Congress MP and Lok Sabha Whip Mohammad Jawed said the party believes the government must answer several questions on these issues during the upcoming parliamentary session.
Delimitation Bill Emerges as a Major Political Concern
The proposed Delimitation Bill also featured prominently in the discussions.
According to Congress leaders, the Union government is considering increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 seats to around 850 seats through the delimitation exercise.
The Opposition’s INDIA alliance had earlier opposed the proposal, arguing that it could significantly alter the political representation of several states.
Congress has also accused the ruling alliance of attempting to strengthen its parliamentary numbers by encouraging defections from regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT), allegations that the ruling alliance has rejected.
Party leaders expressed concern that if the Delimitation Bill is introduced, support from rebel lawmakers could help the government secure the required two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment.
DMK’s Role Seen as Crucial
Congress leaders believe the position of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) could become crucial if the Delimitation Bill reaches Parliament.
Although recent political developments have created differences between the two parties, Congress leaders expressed confidence that DMK would continue opposing the proposal, arguing that the delimitation exercise could adversely affect the political representation of Tamil Nadu.
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed said the DMK understands the long-term implications of the proposed legislation and has consistently opposed the measure.
Political Battle Expected During Monsoon Session
With Parliament set to convene later this month, Congress is preparing to use issues such as the Punjab Congress situation, NEET and CBSE controversies, the Ayodhya donation theft investigation, economic concerns, and the proposed Delimitation Bill to challenge the NDA government inside and outside Parliament.
Note: Several claims regarding the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft, the Delimitation Bill, and political allegations made by various parties remain part of the ongoing political debate. These claims reflect the positions of the respective political parties and should not be interpreted as established facts unless confirmed through official findings or legislation.
