Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 6: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday held talks with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for the second time in three days, seeking the Congress' support for the proposed women's reservation and delimitation bill as the Centre stepped up efforts to build consensus ahead of its planned reintroduction in Parliament.

Sources said Gandhi told Rijiju that the Congress wants the government to convene an all-party meeting before moving ahead with the legislation. However, the minister did not commit to the proposal.

"I had a productive conversation with Rahul Gandhi. I have made a request on a few specific issues and also discussed other matters. We expect continuous communication and coordinated action with the Congress and other opposition parties," Rijiju told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

The latest interaction follows two meetings between Rijiju and Gandhi over the past 10 days as part of the government's outreach to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament.

The Centre is also expected to engage with other opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, the DMK leadership and NDA allies, to garner wider support for the proposed legislation.

The government plans to reintroduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session. The proposed legislation seeks to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies before the 2029 general elections through a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. It also proposes increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from the present 543 seats to 816.

According to sources, the revised bill may include provisions to address concerns raised by southern states, including a proposal to increase the existing Lok Sabha seats of every state by 50 per cent irrespective of population size.

Referring to his conversation with Gandhi, Rijiju said political opponents should cooperate on issues of national importance.

"They may be political opponents but are not enemies. Therefore, we should work together in the national interest. However, the impression created outside is that they are determined not to let Parliament function at all; but who ultimately suffers from that?" he said.

Responding to the opposition's demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's presence in the House, Rijiju said Shah has been actively attending Parliament.

"The Home Minister has introduced bills and has been present in Parliament, working from morning till evening. Naturally, the minister whose bill is under consideration remains present in the House," he said.

With only four working days remaining before the Monsoon Session concludes on August 13, the government has intensified efforts to secure the support required for the bill's passage after an earlier attempt to push the legislation failed in Parliament.

Rijiju also ruled out convening a special session for the legislation, indicating that any move to reintroduce the bill would be made during the ongoing session.