PM-CM Removal Bill, Rajnath 'lie' row may dominate Parliament Monsoon Session from July 20

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held from July 20 to August 13, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Saturday.

In a post on X, Rijiju said President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of both Houses of Parliament on the government’s recommendation. He added that the session would focus on “meaningful debate, discussion and decisions on issues of national importance.”

Ahead of the session, several parliamentary committees have already held meetings in the past week.

Meanwhile, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the controversial 130th Constitution Amendment Bill is expected to adopt its report on July 17. According to sources, the panel is likely to retain the Bill’s most debated provision, which proposes the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Union or State Ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days in cases involving serious offences.

Sources said the committee is unlikely to drop the contentious clause despite concerns raised during consultations. However, the report is expected to include safeguards aimed at preventing misuse for political vendetta or motivated prosecutions.

The proposed amendment has triggered sharp political debate, with supporters saying it strengthens accountability in public office, while critics argue it could be misused to destabilise elected governments through politically motivated arrests.

The JPC is expected to finalise and adopt its report on July 17 before submitting it to Parliament for further consideration.

Separately, the Opposition is likely to raise the issue of privilege proceedings against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, after the Congress accused him of misleading the House over Indian Army casualties during Operation Sindoor.

ANI