The Congress on Friday issued a whip to its MPs in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, asking them to be present in their respective Houses on August 10, 11 and 12 as “very important” issues will be taken up for discussion.
The Congress has also conveyed to all INDIA bloc allies to ensure that their MPs remain present on the three days, sources said.The issuance of the whip comes amid reports that the contentious FCRA amendment bill will be taken up for discussion and passage in Parliament next week. There is also talk of the Constitution Amendment Bill involving delimitation being considered by the government.
While mentioning the tentative government business for next week, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs made no mention of the FCRA amendment bill and the women’s reservation bill involving delimitation.
In his three-line whip, chief whip of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh said, “Very important issues will be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday i.e. 10th, 11th and 12th August, 2026.”
“All Members of Congress Party in the Rajya Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11:00 A.M. onwards till the adjournment of the House on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday i.e. 10th, 11th & 12th August, 2026 without fail and support the party stand. This may be treated as most important,” Ramesh said.
Pertinently, the Centre is set to table the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) next week, Opposition parties are weighing their floor strategy on participating in the debate.
The issue figured prominently at the INDIA bloc meeting, where leaders discussed a response to the Bill, which has triggered criticism from Opposition parties, church groups and civil society.“All Opposition parties are against the Bill in its present form. However, there are differing views within the alliance on whether we should participate in the debate,” a senior Opposition leader said.
While the government has conveyed to church leaders that the proposed amendments would not be applied retrospectively, Opposition leaders maintained that such an assurance does little to address concerns.
“Even if the retrospective clause is changed, the Bill remains deeply problematic. Several other provisions are draconian and deserve to be opposed,” a leader said, adding that the alliance would take a call only after government unveils amendments.
The main contention is that the proposed amendment gives the Centre the power to appoint a designated authority which would control funds and assets if the FCRA certificate is cancelled, surrendered or ceased.
