Kathmandu— Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has declared that opposition parties will form a collective front to challenge the government's proposed Delimitation Bill and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act amendments. Speaking in Uttarakhand, Kharge emphasized that the Congress party maintains a clear position on the delimitation issue, which links constituency redrawing to women's reservation, and noted that any further moves by the government will be met with coordinated resistance from the opposition.

Opposition To Delimitation Proposals

The Congress party remains steadfast in its opposition to the Delimitation Bill, which proposes increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats and redrawing constituencies in connection with women's reservation. The party has instead advocated for providing one-third reservation for women within the existing 543-member strength of the Lok Sabha.

Congress leader Manish Tewari argued that the proposed delimitation does not serve the interests of North India, South India, or the North-East, suggesting it primarily benefits Central India. Tewari questioned the scale of the proposed expansion, asking if the government intended to increase the Lok Sabha to 850 members, comparing the move to the structure of China's National People's Congress. He warned that such changes could create the impression that the political weight of certain regions is diminishing.

Concerns Over FCRA Amendments

In addition to delimitation, the Congress party has signaled its intent to oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which is expected to reach the Lok Sabha during the final week of the monsoon session. Congress leader KC Venugopal stated that the party will vehemently oppose the bill, asserting that the government cannot bulldoze such legislation.

Opposition to the FCRA amendments has gained momentum across various political lines. DMK president MK Stalin has urged the Union Government to withdraw the bill and repeal Section 15 of the 2010 Act. Additionally, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has raised regional concerns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking assurances regarding the scope of the amendments.

The opposition plans to hold a meeting of floor leaders to finalize strategies regarding both the Delimitation Bill and the FCRA amendments.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.