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Delimitation Bill 2026: The BJP-led Central government on Thursday tabled the Delimitation Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament, along with the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid fierce dissent from the opposition parties.  

The debate over the Delimitation Bill 2026 shifted to a north vs south political row, as the parties from the southern states flagged the injustice in seat sharing in the Parliament. However, the government said that wide consultation will be carried out before the final decision on the contentious issue.

Quiz

Will The Delimitation Bill 2026 Reduce Representation Of Southern States In Parliament?

According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, Lok Sabha seats will be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

What Is The Delimitation Bill 2026?

The Delimitation Bill 2026 proposes the readjustment of the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and Union territories, the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State and Union territories having a Legislative Assembly, the division of each State and each Union territory having a Legislative Assembly into territorial constituencies for elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories.

ALSO READ: INDIA Bloc To Oppose Women's Reservation Bill In Parliament Over Delimitation Concerns, Calls It Politically Motivated

Why Has Opposition Objected To Govt's Plan?

The opposition parties have expressed concern as this increase will not be on a pro-rata basis for each state. The delimitation exercise, under Article 82 of the Constitution, is linked to the population of a constituency. INDIA bloc leaders on Wednesday decided to oppose the delimitation bill pushed with an amendment to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, to provide 33 per cent reservation for women legislators in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would weaken the representation of the southern and north-eastern states in the Lok Sabha.

How Delimitation Is Linked To Women's Reservation Bill

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women legislators, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

ALSO READ: How Will Women's Reservation And Delimitation Bills Change Parliament And State Assemblies? All FAQs Answered

Why Is There A North-South Debate Over Delimitation?

The population of Northern states, the cow-belt region - BJP's stronghold. Since the delimitation will be carried out based on population, there is a speculation that the saffron party ruling states will get a larger share in the Parliament, a contentious point being raised by the regional parties in the South. According to HT, UP may see a rise from 80 Lok Sabha seats to 140, Bihar: From 40 to 73, Rajasthan from 25 to 48, and MP from 29 to 51. Clearly, the BJP-ruling states will be the biggest gainer.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu's seats will increase from 39 to 51, Kerala from 20 to 23, and Andhra and Telangana from 42 to 59 (Combined). In the east, Odisha from 21 to 29, and West Bengal from 42 to 64. Given this, the northeastern states will also face the same situation.

ALSO READ: Delimitation Row: DMK Plans Black Flag Protests Against 'Historic Injustice'; Centre Assures Fair Representation

What Is The Government's Stand?

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday clarified that the Delimitation Commission will consult with each political party. "That is a cap, maximum limit. There will be a delimitation committee for every state, and it will talk to all parties then only a call will be taken. So why is the fear? You have a fear of the SIR, the Election Commission, and Parliament. You have a fear about every law which is passed," she added.

Kerala's Concern

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed concerns over the Centre's proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that it could undermine the federal structure and adversely affect states like Kerala. In a statement, Vijayan said the Bill proposed to be introduced in a special session of Parliament, based on the 2011 Census, would significantly affect the rights of states and the principle of equitable justice.

Tamil Nadu Flags Concerns

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin has convened an emergency meeting of DMK MPs to discuss the repercussions the state is likely to face due to the Centre's proposed delimitation exercise. Stalin warned of massive agitations bringing Tamil Nadu to a standstill and "protests with full force," if anything was done harming the state or if the political power of northern states was disproportionately increased in the delimitation exercise.

Telangana CM Writes To PM Modi

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a national, political consensus on increasing seats for Lok Sabha, with a hybrid model, and an immediate implementation of women's reservation without linking it to an increase of legislative seats. The Chief Minister wrote that women's reservations, national delimitation and increase in seats for Lok Sabha are three different issues but confusions are being created in the minds of people as if they are compulsorily inter-connected.

West Bengal Says It Is A Devious Plot

The government is executing a "devious plot" to usher in delimitation under the cover of women's reservation, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien charged. In a post on X, the TMC Rajya Sabha leader also shared an old video of party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighting her long-standing demand for women's quota.

(With Agencies inputs)


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