Monsoon Session ends in blame game

Opposition parties maintained solidarity through the Session, while the Government blamed Congress for disruptions

The Monsoon Session of the Parliament, marked by repeated disruptions over the NEET paper leak and police action against protestors at the Jantar Mantar, ended on Thursday in a near washout. The ruling NDA coalition and the Opposition engaged in a blame game, accusing each other of disruption and running away from debate.

The Government charged the Opposition, especially the Congress, of running away from a debate on the police action even as Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, was ready to reply as demanded by it.

“For the first time, we have seen the Opposition running away from debate in Parliament when the Government wanted discussions. Congress is solely responsible for unfairly disrupting the proceedings. This is not good for democracy, especially parliamentary democracy,” Union parliamentary affairs minister, Kiren Rijiju said, expressing hope that there will be “some changes” in the Opposition’s attitude in the next Parliament Session.

The Congress, meanwhile, claimed that never before had a Government been so “scared and rattled” as the BJP-led Government was during the just-concluded session, and its leadership was seen “running away” from the Parliament. The Congress also said Opposition unity and solidarity were on full display throughout the entire Session.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah stayed away from parliamentary proceedings, appearing only on the last day just before the House was adjourned sine die.

“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. After 11 years, again an issue related to the youth resulted in a washout,” Ramesh said at a press conference alongside Congress’ Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi.

“So, nothing has changed in 11 years. There were laws made and now reels are being made but nothing has changed,” Ramesh said.

Addressing a press conference after both Houses of Parliament adjourned sine die, Rijiju said the Government was not happy as elaborate discussions on key Bills could not take place. Productivity in Lok Sabha was merely 19 per cent, and in Rajya Sabha 39 per cent, he said.

While Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not read out the usual valedictory address in which he highlights the performance and productivity of the House, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan expressed “deep concern” over disruptions that “derailed” the business of the Upper House during the session.

Rijiju said 12 Bills were passed during the Monsoon Session, but sadly only one saw discussions in both Houses, referring to the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was passed by both Houses with voice votes.

The Monsoon Session, which started on July 20, saw prolonged disruptions in both Houses. The Opposition protests initially started over the NEET paper leak and the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It later pressed for a discussion on the police action against students protesting over the NEET paper leak and demanded the presence and statements of PM Modi and Home Minister Shah in the House.

To break the logjam, the Government on Monday offered a debate on the paper leak issue and a reply by Shah, but the Congress rejected it.

A similar attempt was made on Wednesday too, but that failed as the principal opposition party turned down the proposal again, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi asserting that the youth want to know who ordered the use of pellet guns on the protesting students.

Meanwhile, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Birla after the House was adjourned sine die. Only DMK leader Kanimozhi attended the traditional get-together.

In Rajya Sabha, however, opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi, attended the tea party hosted by the chairman.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several other senior leaders and ministers were present at the tea party in the Speaker’s chamber.