Congress, SP, TMC boycott customary meet with Speaker after acrimonious session

Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC) refused to attend a routine meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla following the contentious conclusion of the monsoon session of Parliament on Thursday. The decision came amid growing frustration among opposition parties over what they described as a lack of meaningful dialogue and resolution of key issues raised during the session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several senior government officials participated in the meeting, which typically occurs after each parliamentary session. The boycott marked a departure from previous practice, where such meetings usually included representatives from all major political groups. A senior Congress leader explained that the decision was made collectively by the three parties due to their dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the recent parliamentary proceedings. According to the leader, critical demands, such as addressing reports of police misconduct against students and concerns over alleged financial irregularities related to the Ayodhya temple donations, were left unresolved. These issues had been raised repeatedly during the session but did not receive adequate attention, prompting the opposition's decision to withdraw from the meeting. Rahul Gandhi, who leads the Congress as the Leader of the Opposition, has previously opted not to attend similar meetings, citing a lack of substantive engagement. However, there were exceptions earlier this year when Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra participated in one such meeting, using the opportunity to discuss local issues in her constituency, Wayanad in Kerala. This contrast highlights the evolving dynamics within the party regarding engagement with the Speaker’s office. The TMC's decision to boycott the meeting was linked to ongoing disputes concerning the disqualification of 20 legislators who had switched allegiance. Their petitions to Speaker Birla seeking action on these matters remain unresolved, contributing to the party's decision to stay away. Meanwhile, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chose to participate in the meeting, indicating varying levels of engagement among different regional parties. The monsoon session itself was characterized by intense debate, particularly around allegations of police brutality during protests in Delhi in July 2026. Opposition members pressed Amit Shah to address these claims, including the use of pellet guns during demonstrations. They also demanded the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was accused of failing to prevent the incidents. Despite these calls, the session concluded with limited progress on resolving these contentious issues. Following the session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla established a special inquiry committee on August 15, 2025, under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to investigate the allegations. This move was aimed at providing a formal mechanism to examine the claims brought forward by the opposition. However, the formation of the committee has not yet led to any public findings or resolutions that satisfy the opposition parties. The absence of Congress, SP, and TMC from the post-session meeting underscores the deepening divide between the ruling party and the opposition. While the government continues to emphasize procedural adherence and the establishment of investigative mechanisms, the opposition insists that substantive policy discussions and accountability measures are still lacking. As the political landscape evolves, the effectiveness of these committees and the willingness of both sides to engage constructively will likely shape future parliamentary sessions.