All-party meeting underway ahead of Monsoon Parliament Session; Kiren Rijiju appeals for cooperation from opposition

The Centre convened an all-party meeting on Sunday, a day ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, seeking cooperation from opposition parties for the smooth functioning of both Houses.

The meeting, a long-standing convention held before every session, began at 11 am in the Main Committee Room of Parliament House Annexe.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins tomorrow. The government has convened a meeting of floor leaders from all parties today. We urge all political parties to contribute to and cooperate in ensuring the smooth conduct of this Monsoon Session."


Also read: Income Tax, MSME reforms among 7 key Bills on government's Monsoon Session agenda

He added that Parliament "belongs to everyone" and expressed hope that members from both the ruling party and opposition would participate constructively in the legislative business. "The better Parliament functions, the more the country benefits," Rijiju said, appealing to leaders of all parties to ensure smooth functioning of the House. "We will listen to the opposition, and we expect them to listen to us as well," he said.

Addressing a press conference on the all-party floor leaders' meeting ahead of the Parliament session, he said, "Today, the government convened an all-party meeting of floor leaders. We appeal to all political parties to contribute and cooperate in ensuring the smooth functioning of this Monsoon Session. The Parliament belongs to everyone, and the government will be introducing various legislative businesses and bills. I hope that all members, from both the opposition and ruling parties, will participate constructively. The more efficiently the Parliament functions, the better it is for the country. We live in a parliamentary democracy where elected representatives of the people get the opportunity to raise their respective points in the House. We welcome vigorous and robust debates. Any party or member wishing to voice their concerns can do so fully within Parliament."

Also read: DMK, MNM keep cards close on Delimitation Bill ahead of Monsoon Parliament session

Opposition stages a walk out

TMC MP Mahua Moitra, speaking to reporters after the walkout, said, "The so-called NCPI, which is an unrecognised party... the strength of the All India Trinamool Congress in the list provided by the table office is shown to be 28 members. These so-called rebel 20 MPs, their merger has not been approved by the Speaker. The 20 disqualification petitions are still pending. After the 91st Amendment, there is no room for a separate bloc. So on what grounds did the Parliamentary Affairs Minister extend an invitation to these 20 rebel MPs and how are they attending this meeting? We have registered our strong protest and walked out as a symbol of our protest. And we thank all our opposition parties."

CPM leader John Brittas termed the invitation extended to the rebel Trinamool Congress MPs for the all-party meeting a "miscarriage of justice."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said, "The affiliation granted to them (rebel MPs), where is that term in the books of law? We too have protested against it and walked out of the house."

AAP MP ND Gupta said, "In our case, of 10 MPs of the Rajya Sabha, 7 have been hijacked and our petition to decide whether this is valid or not is pending. In spite of this fact, they have allotted independent separate seats in the Rajya Sabha. This is a mere hijack and murder of democracy."

Opposition parties, who had earlier staged a walkout from the all-party meeting in protest, later returned to rejoin the proceedings. The Monsoon Session will commence on Monday and continue till August 13.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "The Congress has staged a walkout to uphold the Constitution. Making a forecast without a final decision is completely unconstitutional."

In view of the Monsoon Session of Parliament 2026, commencing July 20, special traffic arrangements will be in place in the jurisdiction of the New Delhi Range, the Delhi Traffic Police said in an advisory. Heavy vehicular movement and traffic restrictions are expected in and around the Parliament area during the session.

Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra travel time, and avoid affected roads and junctions during peak hours. The Traffic Police have asked commuters to stay updated through its official channels for further updates.