(ANI)
New Delhi: The proposed Delimitation Bill has emerged as a major point of political contention, with the government and opposition parties engaging in discussions to break the deadlock over the legislation. Senior leaders from the ruling side and the Opposition held a meeting in Parliament to discuss the Bill, amid continued disruptions during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
According to sources, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held discussions with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi regarding the government’s proposed Delimitation Bill. The meeting, held in Rahul Gandhi’s Parliament office, lasted around 50 minutes and was attended by senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of repeated adjournments in Parliament, with opposition parties demanding statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on various issues. The government’s outreach to opposition parties is being viewed as an attempt to build consensus on the legislation and ensure smoother parliamentary functioning.
Government Seeks Opposition Support
Sources said the government has held multiple rounds of discussions with Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to seek support for the Delimitation Bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is learnt to have conveyed the government’s position and sought the Congress party’s support for the proposed legislation.
Congress sources said Rahul Gandhi suggested holding an all-party meeting on the issue and indicated that he would discuss the matter with leaders of the INDIA bloc.
Government sources said the Centre has been engaging with the Congress as the principal opposition party while also reaching out to other political groups, including key INDIA bloc partners such as the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction). The DMK has reportedly sought assurances regarding the impact of the proposed exercise before taking a final position.
What the Delimitation Bill Proposes
The Delimitation Bill, introduced in Parliament in 2026, seeks to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha. The proposal includes raising the number of Lok Sabha seats from the existing 543 to 850.
The legislation is also linked to the implementation of women’s reservation under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures.
The proposed exercise would be based on population data from the 2011 Census. Supporters of the Bill argue that increasing the number of parliamentary seats is necessary to ensure better representation for India’s growing population and to update constituency boundaries.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Southern States’ Representation
The Congress and several opposition leaders have expressed concerns that the delimitation exercise could reduce the political influence of states that successfully controlled population growth.
Rahul Gandhi has criticised the proposal, arguing that the process could disadvantage southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu. He has alleged that the proposed delimitation could affect the state’s political representation and has urged political parties to oppose the Bill.
The Congress has maintained that states which implemented population control measures should not face a reduction in their relative representation in Parliament because of demographic changes.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that all Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would vote against the Bill if it is brought before Parliament again. He argued that the legislation does not reflect the concerns and interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Left Parties Call for a Long-Term Freeze
Opposition from the Left has also intensified. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member P. Sandosh Kumar described the proposed legislation as “draconian” and argued that the delimitation process should remain frozen for at least 25 years.
Kumar said that states which controlled their population growth should not be penalised through changes in parliamentary representation. He also rejected suggestions of adopting a 50 per cent formula for representation, arguing that it could increase regional inequalities.
The Left parties have called for maintaining the existing balance of representation while seeking broader discussions on the principles behind any future delimitation exercise.
BJP Defends the Proposal
The Bharatiya Janata Party has defended the Bill, stating that increasing the number of seats is necessary for improving representation and strengthening democracy.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi rejected allegations that southern states would be unfairly affected. He said that Tamil Nadu and other southern states would also receive additional representation under the proposed expansion of Lok Sabha seats.
Saraogi argued that the Delimitation Bill is a national requirement and should be passed by Parliament. He questioned the opposition’s claims of discrimination, saying that the proposed increase in seats would benefit all states.
Parliamentary Deadlock Continues
The discussions on delimitation have taken place during a politically charged Monsoon Session, where opposition parties have repeatedly protested over several issues.
Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched from the Gandhi statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar in Parliament, raising objections over issues including alleged police action against protesters and other matters.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held interactions with BJP MPs during the session, including a breakfast meeting with 37 party lawmakers at his residence. The meeting included informal discussions and interactions with MPs from different political backgrounds.
A Larger Debate Over Representation
At the heart of the Delimitation Bill debate is the question of how India should balance population-based representation with the concerns of states that have successfully implemented population control policies.
Supporters argue that a larger Lok Sabha is required to reflect India’s current population and improve representation. Opponents argue that the process must protect the political voice of states that contributed to population stabilisation.
With the government attempting to secure wider political support and opposition parties demanding further consultations, the Delimitation Bill is expected to remain one of the most significant issues shaping parliamentary debate.
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