Upper hand to back foot: How BJP narrative took a hit in Monsoon Session

The BJP's narrative faced setbacks during the Monsoon Session as the Opposition maintained a strong stance, demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah address allegations of police excesses regarding the Jantar Mantar protest. The session commenced on July 20, but the BJP's dominance waned early on when thousands of students protested against leaked exam papers and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who subsequently resigned on July 25.

A week later, the BJP encountered a setback in Assembly bypolls in two constituencies, including Nitin Nabin's seat, previously considered a strong BJP stronghold. Despite pushing through 12 Bills amidst the turmoil, the government failed to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the Women’s Quota Law operationalisation, and the Delimitation Bill.

The RSS's dismissal of protests and its differing stance from the party during the Uttar Pradesh elections further dented the BJP's image. While BJP leaders acknowledged the session as a failure, they believed the Opposition's inability to establish a narrative was more damaging. The government's ability to pass Bills under such circumstances was considered a legal and constitutional success.

However, questions arose about the handling of the student protest and the Speaker's handling of MPs who hindered parliamentary proceedings.