Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 16: With Parliament's Monsoon Session scheduled to begin on July 20, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is reportedly reviving its 'Mission 360' strategy to secure the two-thirds majority required to pass key constitutional amendment Bills, including those relating to women's reservation and the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
According to political sources, the Centre is considering reintroducing legislation on women's reservation and delimitation after similar efforts during the special session of Parliament in April reportedly fell short due to insufficient numbers.
As the BJP intensifies efforts to strengthen its position in Parliament, the Congress and other Opposition parties have also begun coordinating their strategy for the upcoming session.
Despite political developments involving the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar, the NDA is believed to remain six MPs short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
Against this backdrop, the Centre has convened an all-party meeting on July 19, with political observers speculating that the government may use the occasion to build consensus on the proposed Bills.
The BJP has also stepped up internal consultations ahead of the session. Over the past week, senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, held a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's residence.
According to sources, the discussions focused on the government's parliamentary strategy, while B L Santhosh's presence also fuelled speculation that the BJP may soon announce its new national team under the leadership of Nitin Nabin.
Sources said consultations have been held across states to identify prospective office-bearers, with the new organisational team expected to be finalised shortly.
Political sources said the meeting also reviewed the government's legislative agenda, the Opposition's likely strategy and the Bills expected to be introduced during the Monsoon Session, with women's reservation and delimitation emerging as key priorities.
According to sources, the government believes the current political climate is more favourable than before, with the ruling alliance in a stronger position and the Opposition relatively weakened.
The stance of several regional parties is expected to play a crucial role. Political sources suggested that the 22-member DMK parliamentary contingent could extend issue-based support to the government.
A senior BJP leader claimed that the DMK's position may differ from that of the Congress on certain issues. Although the party had strongly opposed delimitation earlier this year, recent political developments following the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections have reportedly altered the situation.
The DMK has also decided to sit separately from the Congress in Parliament, further raising BJP expectations of possible support on specific legislation.
The Lok Sabha currently has an effective strength of 540 members following three vacancies. A constitutional amendment requires the support of at least 360 MPs.
Political sources estimate that the NDA presently has the backing of around 293 MPs. If it secures the support of the 20 MPs of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), who reportedly broke away from the TMC, and the 22 DMK MPs, its strength could rise to around 335.
Government sources further claimed that the alliance has, on several occasions, received support from four YSR Congress Party MPs and one Independent MP, taking the effective tally to around 340.
The BJP is also factoring in recent political developments in Maharashtra, where six MPs are reported to have shifted from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, potentially increasing the NDA's strength to around 346.
If Sharad Pawar's party, which has eight MPs, extends support to a constitutional amendment such as the delimitation Bill, the NDA's tally could rise to approximately 354, leaving it six MPs short of the required majority.
Political sources said Home Minister Amit Shah has recently held a series of meetings with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the six MPs who reportedly joined the Shinde faction.
These meetings are being viewed as part of the BJP's efforts to consolidate support ahead of the Monsoon Session.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has indicated conditional support for the women's reservation and delimitation Bills, although political observers believe the conditions proposed by his party may not be acceptable to the government.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has also hinted that his party could consider supporting the government if its demands are met. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has three Lok Sabha MPs. Even if their support is secured, the NDA would still require the backing of three additional MPs.
Political sources believe the BJP could attempt to win over some MPs currently aligned with Mamata Banerjee to bridge the remaining gap.
The Centre has convened an all-party meeting on July 19 to brief Opposition parties and other stakeholders on its legislative agenda ahead of the Monsoon Session, which begins on July 20.
The NDA Parliamentary Party is scheduled to meet on July 21, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address alliance MPs.
With high-level consultations, shifting political equations and intense speculation over key constitutional amendment Bills, attention is now focused on whether the government can convert its parliamentary arithmetic into legislative success.