“Modi Govt Was ‘Scared & Rattled’ During Monsoon Session”
Opposition parties staged a protest outside Parliament during its Monsoon Session
The Congress on Thursday claimed that the Modi government was “scared and rattled” during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, accusing the BJP leadership of “running away” from the House and asserting that Opposition unity remained firmly on display throughout the session.
Addressing a press conference after both Houses were adjourned sine die, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh and Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi said the government had been reluctant to respond to several issues raised by the Opposition.
Ramesh alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were largely absent from parliamentary proceedings and appeared only on the final day, shortly before the session ended. He compared the disruptions during the session with the Monsoon Session of 2015, which was also marked by protests over the Vyapam scam.
“I want to remind you that the Monsoon Session has been washed out and 11 years ago in 2015, the Monsoon Session was washed out and the reason was the Vyapam scam,” Ramesh said. “After 11 years, again an issue related to the youth resulted in a washout.”
Highlighting coordination among Opposition parties, Ramesh said leaders of the INDIA bloc met regularly in the chamber of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and maintained a common position on issues raised in Parliament.
“We walked together on the path we collectively decided,” he said.
Ramesh outlined five developments that he described as successes for the Congress and the broader Opposition. He said the government’s proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ legislation was deferred to the Winter Session after the Opposition questioned the absence of the relevant committee report.
He also pointed to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which could not be taken up because the joint parliamentary committee examining it had not submitted its report.
The Congress leader further said the Constitutional Amendment Bill proposing the automatic removal of a prime minister or chief minister after 30 consecutive days of arrest and detention could not be introduced. He also cited the decision to refer the FCRA Bill to a joint committee, although the Opposition had demanded its withdrawal.
Ramesh said the government had also failed to secure the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments, with the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill concerning delimitation not being brought before Parliament.
“They don’t have a two-thirds majority and will never get it,” he said.
At the same time, Ramesh criticised the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, alleging that they were passed without adequate debate.
Gogoi said the Opposition had sought discussions on several contentious issues, including alleged corruption in NEET, alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple, ethanol blending, alleged corruption involving BJP chief ministers, foreign policy and infrastructure spending.
He also reiterated the Congress’s demand for a statement from Shah over the alleged use of force against protesting students and an apology from the prime minister.
Gogoi alleged that Shah did not appear during the two-day debate on the anti-paper leak Bill despite repeated demands from the Opposition. He claimed that the government’s offer of a debate came only shortly before the session ended.
“The government was on the backfoot and opposition unity and solidarity was on display,” Gogoi said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP leadership, he added: “They talk of 56-inch chest but that was not reflected in this session.”
The Congress maintained that the disruptions were a consequence of the government’s reluctance to address the Opposition’s concerns, while portraying the session as evidence of growing coordination among Opposition parties.
