New Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday dismissed reports suggesting plans to prolong the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament or assemble a special sitting between 16 and 18 August to consider the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill.

Addressing speculation regarding an altered legislative schedule, Rijiju informed news agency ANI, "There is no proposal to extend any dates of the Parliament session. There is no special session to be held from August 16 to 18 on the Women's Reservation and Delimitation Bills."

The statement follows persistent disruptions and inter-party tension during the Monsoon Session, which spans from 20 July to 13 August, fuelled by opposition demands concerning the attendance of senior government leaders during parliamentary proceedings.

Amid the legislative impasse, a high-level dialogue occurred inside the Parliament precinct. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju conferred with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi inside his office, accompanied by senior Congress figure Priyanka Gandhi. Throughout the 50-minute exchange, Rijiju sought to clarify the primary opposition party's position regarding the controversial Delimitation Bill and associated legislative measures.

Concurrently with the political discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried on his engagement with parliamentarians, hosting a breakfast reception for approximately 37 newly elected and cross-over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha members at his official residence. The informal meeting touched upon parliamentary decorum, constituency outreach, and personal reflections on public service.

With the administration ruling out a special August sitting, political focus remains directed at the remainder of the scheduled monsoon calendar as both sides seek to resolve the ongoing procedural deadlock.

ANI