New Delhi, July 19:Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday described the Opposition's walkout during the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a "symbolic protest" rather than a boycott.

Speaking after the meeting, Rijiju said the government is committed to ensuring meaningful discussions on Bills and urged Opposition parties not to disrupt proceedings during the session beginning July 20.

"It should not be viewed as a boycott. It was only a symbolic walkout," he said, adding that Parliament should function smoothly so all parties, including smaller ones, get adequate time to raise their issues.

Rijiju said the meeting also discussed concerns over the numerical strength of political parties in Parliament, stressing that no member's rights would be denied. He noted that smaller parties had sought more speaking time, which would be possible only if the House functions without disruptions.

He further said the government does not want to be accused of passing Bills without proper debate, emphasizing that every proposed legislation should be thoroughly discussed and examined before approval.

The Opposition leaders, who briefly walked out in protest, later returned to the meeting. The protest was triggered by recent political developments involving 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs and the recognition of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs merging with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleged that the merger of the 20 rebel MPs had not yet been approved by the Lok Sabha Speaker and objected to their inclusion in the party strength list. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant also criticised Speaker Om Birla's decision to recognise the merger of six party MPs, calling it unconstitutional.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run from July 20 to August 13. The recent mergers have fuelled speculation that the Centre may revive the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, proposing an increase in Lok Sabha seats to 850 and the implementation of the Women's Reservation law, with the NDA moving closer to the two-thirds majority mark in the House.