NDA Steps Up Efforts to Secure Two-Thirds Majority for Women's Reservation, Delimitation Bills

As the Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin on July 20, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has intensified its efforts to secure a two-thirds majority needed to pass a fresh constitutional amendment bill that would extend women's reservation to 2029, alongside a delimitation bill to increase the Lok Sabha strength from 543 to up to 850 members. The bills were defeated in the Lower House during a special session in April.

BJP sources confirmed that the government plans to introduce the new constitutional amendment bill only after ensuring it has the requisite majority. The NDA's current tally in the Lok Sabha stands at 293 members. If Speaker Om Birla validates the recent crossovers—20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs pledging support to the NDA and six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joining the NDA ally Shiv Sena—the tally could rise to 329. However, this still falls short of the 360 votes needed for a two-thirds majority if all members are present and voting.

To bridge this gap, the BJP is reaching out to opposition parties such as the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), which has eight MPs, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Sources indicated that the BJP is also hoping that some non-NDA MPs may abstain from voting on the bill.

The opposition, led by the Congress, has dismissed the government's efforts. Senior Congress MP K.C. Venugopal stated, “Despite misusing central agencies to break parties and offering inducements to individual MPs, the BJP cannot bulldoze this constitutional amendment bill. The parties are very concerned about the BJP's attempts. They are trying their best but will not succeed.”

The BJP leadership has been in discussions with the DMK, which the ruling party expects to abstain if not vote in favour. The DMK, however, has not yet taken a final decision. The party has sought separate seating from the Congress in the Lok Sabha after the latter allied with Vijay's TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu following the recent assembly elections. The DMK, which was ousted from power by the TVK, has previously campaigned against delimitation based solely on census data, arguing it would penalise southern states for successfully implementing population control measures.

DMK sources confirmed the government's outreach. “We have concerns and have conveyed them to the BJP. The government is ready to address them positively. We are hopeful of a solution,” a senior DMK leader said. DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi added, “We have raised some issues. Tamil Nadu’s interests must be protected. We will not allow states to be punished for successfully implementing population control measures.”

BJP sources said senior leaders are in constant touch with regional leaders and individual MPs from opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and even the Congress. However, the government is cautious. “Hectic efforts are being made, but we will not hurry the bill unless adequate numbers are ensured. We do not want to take any chances,” a senior BJP leader said.

Negotiations with the NCP (SP) are also underway, but the BJP remains wary of the party led by Sharad Pawar. “From past experiences, there is a trust deficit with NCP (SP). Our top leadership respects Sharad Pawar, but we have experienced last-minute flip-flops from his party,” a BJP leader noted.

The government is expected to continue its outreach during the upcoming session, balancing the need for a two-thirds majority with the concerns of regional parties over delimitation and representation.