Delimitation Bill Sparks Political Battle as NDA Pursues Two-Thirds Majority
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, beginning on July 20, is set to witness a major confrontation over the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850 and initiate the delimitation process. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is intensifying efforts to secure the required two-thirds majority, while opposition parties under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) are closing ranks to resist the move.
On Wednesday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, while leaders from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Mr. Shinde expressed confidence that the government has the numbers to amend the Constitution.
Amid speculation that NCP MPs from the Sharad Pawar faction might switch sides, party working president Supriya Sule clarified that no decision has been taken on supporting the bill, calling media reports “inaccurate.” Earlier, she had stated that if the bill proposes a uniform 50% increase in seats across all states, “there would be little reason to oppose it.”
The NDA’s push gained momentum after 20 Trinamool Congress MPs and six MPs from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) aligned with the alliance. NDA managers claim their Lok Sabha strength has risen from 298 in April to 329, still short of the 362 needed for a two-thirds majority.
The Congress party’s parliamentary strategy group is scheduled to meet on Thursday. A source indicated that the party’s leadership is upset over the government’s attempt to secure a majority through defections. Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh said, “The Home Minister will not get the two-thirds majority he is desperate for. After his humiliation on April 17, he will suffer a second defeat if he persists.”
The BJP has stepped up outreach to parties within the INDIA bloc, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which recently broke with the Congress. Sources said the BJP has assured the DMK that its concerns over delimitation would be addressed. The government hopes some opposition parties may soften their stand if the legislation provides for a uniform 50% increase in seats.
Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, in a post on X, said the government is trying to woo both the DMK and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). He warned that supporting a new version of the “failed Bill” would be a “betrayal of their own conscience.”
Ms. Sule’s remarks have fueled speculation about her party’s stance. She called the controversy a “storm in a teacup” and said the party would take a view within 24 hours of seeing the draft bill.
The delimitation bill is also linked to implementing women’s reservation, which is expected to take effect from the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The outcome of the political maneuvering will determine the future of electoral representation in India.
