Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Amit Shah to table Kerala, NCDC bills in Rajya Sabha amid House impasse

Kiren Rijiju, the Union minister for parliamentary affairs, met with Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition, on Thursday to address the ongoing stalemate in the functioning of Parliament during the Monsoon Session. During the meeting, Rijiju stated that they had a "good discussion" and emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and coordinated action with the Congress and other opposition parties. Although they are political opponents, Rijiju asserted that they are not enemies and should work together in the national interest. The discussion included the possibility of reintroducing the Delimitation and Women’s Reservation Bills, although Gandhi reportedly made no commitments. Rijiju also addressed the opposition's demand for a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah regarding the Delhi Police action against student protesters during their march to Parliament on July 20. Rijiju noted that Shah has been actively present in Parliament and that it is natural for the minister responsible for introducing bills to remain engaged. This meeting followed reports that Rijiju had previously met with Gandhi to seek his cooperation in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament. The Monsoon Session is scheduled to conclude on August 13, and the government recently dismissed media reports suggesting a three-day special session would be convened from August 16 to 18 to address the Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills. The tension surrounding these bills intensified when Rijiju and Gandhi exchanged views on social media. Rijiju praised Gandhi's recent comments on women's empowerment, describing them as "positive" and hoping the Congress would support the Women’s Reservation Bill unconditionally. Gandhi, however, pointed out that the bill had already been passed in 2023 with full Congress support and questioned why it had not yet been implemented, criticizing the linking of its implementation with the delimitation process. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati criticized both the ruling BJP and the Congress for politicizing student issues and failing to find meaningful solutions. She urged students and Gen Z to stay away from the politics of both parties and focus on resolving their problems. Mayawati accused the BJP and Congress of misleading the youth by bringing up multiple issues to prevent Parliament from functioning effectively. She highlighted the Jantar Mantar protests, which she claimed were initially led by the Cockroach Janta Party but later hijacked by the Congress alliance. Mayawati also expressed concern over the treatment of students and young people in Uttar Pradesh, noting that the BSP had historically prioritized their issues. She criticized the BJP for undermining reservation policies and accused it of favoring the wealthy over the disadvantaged. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been actively engaging with Gen Z, emphasizing the importance of their role in shaping the country’s future. At a recent event titled “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” Gandhi addressed students and competitive exam aspirants, highlighting the challenges they face, such as expensive education, limited job opportunities, and paper leaks. He argued that the youth are trapped in a “chakravyuh” of systemic failures and stressed the need for reform in the examination system. The BJP quickly responded, questioning why Gandhi had chosen to address students in Prayagraj rather than in Jharkhand, where protests against the NEET paper leak had erupted. Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, suggested that Gandhi should have visited Ranchi instead. Political analysts have observed a shift in Rahul Gandhi’s communication strategy, aiming to connect with Gen Z through relatable language and platforms like Instagram. Former Congress leader Sanjay Jha noted that Gandhi’s approach feels more natural to younger audiences compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style. Despite the BJP’s dominance among young voters in the past, recent polls suggest a growing disconnection between the ruling party and the youth. Analysts predict that the next general election in 2029 could see a significant shift, with Gen Z forming a crucial electoral bloc. With approximately 36.4 crore Gen Z individuals expected to be of voting age by 2029, the stakes for political parties are high. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to students did not generate the desired response, prompting a critical reflection within the party. Tharoor pointed out that many of the issues raised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had already been addressed by the Congress through its “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign. He questioned whether the party had failed to engage with Gen Z effectively, suggesting that political parties must rethink their structures to include young people in decision-making processes. Tharoor emphasized the need for meaningful involvement of youth in politics, warning that failure to adapt could lead to irrelevance. His remarks came amid ongoing tensions over the CJP protests at Jantar Mantar, which were initially supported by students but later escalated due to police action. The Congress faced additional challenges when the Uttar Pradesh government revoked permission for Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event in Prayagraj. Despite this setback, Congress leaders vowed to proceed with the event, stating that the government was attempting to suppress youth voices. Rahul Gandhi himself expressed determination, asserting that no amount of obstruction would deter the party from raising the concerns of students and unemployed youth. The event, originally scheduled for August 8, proceeded despite logistical difficulties, including waterlogging at the venue. Workers used buckets and machinery to manage the site, while Gandhi focused on discussing issues such as unemployment and delayed recruitment processes. His speech emphasized the need for systemic reform and accountability, framing the struggles of students as a broader societal issue.