What is the story about?
New Delhi: As Parliament’s stormy Monsoon Session ended on Thursday, the Congress claimed the Opposition had scored five major “successes” by preventing
or delaying several key government proposals. The BJP, however, rejected the claim and accused the Opposition of repeatedly changing its demands and disrupting proceedings. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the session showed that Opposition unity had prevented the government from pushing through several measures, including One Nation, One Election, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, a constitutional amendment linked to the removal of elected leaders after arrest, the FCRA Bill and the proposed delimitation-related constitutional amendment. Ramesh also claimed that the Modi government had been unusually defensive during the session, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah largely stayed away from Parliament and appeared only on the final day.
इस मानसून सत्र में ये 4 बिल नहीं आ पाए, जो कि विपक्ष की बड़ी उपलब्धि है।
• One Nation, One Election Bill
• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill
• Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill
• FCRA Bill
हमारी एक और बड़ी उपलब्धि ये है कि-
BJP ने दो तिहाई बहुमत के लिए बहुत कोशिश… pic.twitter.com/EwGfhRVEmk— Congress (@INCIndia) August 13, 2026
What are Congress’ 5 ‘big successes’?
According to Ramesh, the first major success was the delay in the One Nation, One Election proposal. He said the government wanted to take it forward during the session, but the report could not be brought before Parliament after the Opposition raised questions over the proposal.
The second, he said, was the delay in bringing the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, which was being examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
"We objected and raised questions and that report was also put off," he said.
The third issue cited by Ramesh was a proposed Constitution amendment Bill that sought automatic removal of a prime minister or chief minister if they were arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days. He said the Bill could not be brought because the committee examining it could not submit its report, which he attributed to collective Opposition pressure.
Ramesh also counted the FCRA Bill being sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee as another Opposition success, although he said the Congress wanted the legislation withdrawn altogether.
He suggested that pressure from Opposition parties, chief ministers of states such as Nagaland and Mizoram and civil society had played a role in the government's decision. Ramesh also referred to a conversation between US Vice President J D Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the outcome was "before everyone to see".
The fifth point, according to Ramesh, was the government's inability to bring a Constitution amendment Bill related to delimitation, which he linked to an alleged attempt to secure a two-thirds majority.
"They don't have a two-thirds majority and will never get it," Ramesh said.
Congress attacks government over Bills passed without debate
The Congress also criticised the government over the passage of some legislation without detailed debate.
Ramesh said the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were passed without debate, calling it "unfortunate".
He also claimed the Mines and Minerals legislation could eventually face a challenge in the Supreme Court by one state or another.
The Congress' broader criticism was that Parliament had passed legislation despite repeated disruptions, while several issues raised by the Opposition did not receive the discussion it had demanded.
‘Government so scared and rattled’: Congress
Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi stepped up the attack, saying the government had appeared unusually defensive during the session.
"We have seen many sessions but have never seen the government so scared and rattled as it was this time," Gogoi said.
He alleged that Modi and Shah were largely absent from parliamentary proceedings and accused the government of avoiding discussions on issues the Opposition wanted to raise.
"We had impressed upon the government that this session is very important and we want to raise many issues such as corruption in NEET, chanda chori at the Ram temple, ethanol blending, allegations of corruption against BJP CMs, the foreign policy, money being wasted in poorly done infrastructure projects, but these important issues were not allowed to be raised in the House and the government got Bills passed in din," Gogoi said.
He said the Congress had demanded three things: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a statement from Shah on the alleged police action against protesting students and an apology from the Prime Minister.
"We repeatedly called the home minister to come to Parliament during the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill but he did not come to the House during two days of debate. The PM also did not come," Gogoi said.
Gogoi also criticised the government's decision to offer a discussion shortly before the session ended, alleging that it was too late.
The government, he claimed, had woken up from its "kumbhkaran sleep" just two days before the House was due to be adjourned.
BJP hits back: ‘One leader’s ego’ behind washout
The BJP rejected the Congress' account and blamed Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition for repeatedly shifting their demands.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of making Parliament a casualty of political confrontation.
"The Parliament's Monsoon Session has fallen victim to one leader's ego, indiscipline and insolence," he said.
Prasad also described Gandhi as "irresponsible" and "immature", alleging that the Opposition first demanded a discussion on NEET, then sought the Education Minister's resignation and later demanded answers from the Prime Minister and Home Minister.
"I would like to repeat that Rahul Gandhi is irresponsible. Rahul Gandhi is yet to mature as a leader in the politics of the country. Rahul Gandhi is delinquent. And Rahul Gandhi has a great sense of arrogance and entitlement," he said.
BJP: Amit Shah was ready for debate
Prasad said the government had repeatedly offered to discuss the issues raised by the Opposition, particularly the alleged police action against protesting students.
He cited Shah's offer to participate in the debate and respond to the Opposition's questions.
"Yesterday you saw that the Home Minister (Amit Shah) himself came before the media and said, I am ready to listen to the entire debate for 24 hours, and I am ready to answer all these issues. I will answer point by point," Prasad said.
According to Prasad, government officials, including the Home Secretary and Cabinet Secretary, along with Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, had met protesters and conveyed that the government was ready for a discussion.
"But when they were told that the government is ready for discussion, they said they wanted resignation," Prasad said.
The BJP also defended its handling of the NEET issue, saying the government had brought a stringent law, provided for fast-track courts and sought to ensure time-bound trials. Prasad said a high-powered committee was also working to address the "syndicate" involved in paper leaks.
On the Opposition's allegations of firing during the student protests, Prasad reiterated the government's position.
"We have made it clear that no shots were fired," Prasad said.
He argued that the Opposition could have received answers from Shah had it allowed the proposed discussion to take place.
