Govt plans short Parliament session amid elections, major reform bill expected
April 2, 2026: The government on Thursday indicated that Parliament will be adjourned and reconvened before the end of the ongoing round of assembly elections. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Rajya Sabha that a “very important” bill will be taken up in the coming weeks, though he did not disclose specific details or dates for the extended Budget Session.
There is growing speculation that the government may introduce the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which proposes 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. The House is likely to reconvene after mid-April, once key polling phases in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are completed. The move comes amid political discussions over timing, with opposition leaders seeking broader consultation.
Senior leaders from the Indian National Congress, including Jairam Ramesh and Mallikarjun Kharge, have supported women’s reservation in principle but raised concerns over the bill’s timing and long-term implications. The government, however, has denied politicising the issue, reiterating its commitment to enhancing women’s participation in legislatures. If implemented, the reform could significantly expand the Lok Sabha and reshape political representation ahead of the 2029 general elections.