Kumar Bahukhandi
File Image of Lok Sabha
Opposition parties demanded discussions and replies from the Centre on these issues
New Delhi: The alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the NEET paper leak, activist Sonam Wangchuk’s fast, ethanol blending in petrol and the situation in Manipur are among the issues the Opposition plans to raise during Parliament’s Monsoon Session beginning Monday.
At an all-party meeting convened by the government on Sunday July 19, 2026 , Opposition parties demanded discussions and replies from the Centre on these issues, signalling a stormy session.
The meeting also witnessed a symbolic walkout over the invitation extended to 20 rebel Trinamul Congress MPs who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
The Opposition leaders returned to the meeting after registering their protest. They also opposed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s decision recognising the merger of six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. The session will continue until August 13.
The government defended the invitation to the rebel TMC MPs, saying the Speaker had recognised them as a group and they could not be ignored. Opposition parties, however, maintained that disqualification petitions against the MPs remained pending.
The meeting, chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, was attended by 58 leaders from 40 parties. Union health minister and Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J.P. Nadda and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju were among those present.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said the Opposition sought discussions on the alleged theft of Ram temple donations, ethanol blending, students’ issues and Manipur. The Opposition also plans to raise the NEET paper leak and Wangchuk’s fast seeking accountability over examination irregularities.
The DMK sought clarity on delimitation and the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said the quota should be implemented based on the present strength of the Lok Sabha and warned that delimitation should not disadvantage the southern states.
The TMC demanded separate all-party meetings on delimitation and the amended Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, AAP, National Conference, Left parties and Shiv Sena (UBT) joined the walkout against the invitation to the NCPI. She said the Speaker had not approved the merger of the 20 rebel MPs and that disqualification petitions were pending.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas described the invitation as a “miscarriage of justice”, while Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the walkout was also against the Speaker’s decision on the rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. Rebel TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who attended the meeting with Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, said they had come as representatives of the NCPI after receiving an invitation.
He claimed the party was recognised by the Election Commission and said the Opposition should be given adequate space in the House. Among the Bills listed for the session is the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce it in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The Bill seeks to make the intentional insult of or obstruction to the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, a punishable offence. Rijiju appealed to all parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament and said differences should be expressed through debate rather than disruption. “By protesting, no one is going to benefit politically,” he said.
“We will cooperate and hope they will also cooperate.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later chaired a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee and appealed to parties to ensure constructive deliberations, meaningful participation and orderly proceedings.
