Rijiju reaches out to Rahul Gandhi as delimitation bill revival speculation grows
In a move that has sparked political speculation, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has contacted Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the Constitution amendment bill related to delimitation. Sources familiar with the matter said the outreach is aimed at exploring a consensus on the bill, which was defeated in the last session of Parliament for lack of enough numbers.
The bill, formally known as the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, seeks to pave the way for a fresh delimitation commission to redraw the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies after the 2026 Census. Delimitation is a constitutional requirement to ensure equitable representation in legislatures based on population changes. The last exercise was completed in 2008, based on the 2001 Census, after which the freeze on readjustment was extended to 2026 through the 84th Amendment.
The bill had been listed for introduction in the previous session, but failed to get the required majority in the Rajya Sabha, where the government does not enjoy a full majority. Opposition parties, including the Congress, had raised objections to the bill's provisions, arguing that the proposed criteria and timeline could disproportionately affect certain states and regions. Concerns were also raised that such a measure, if rushed through, could upset the federal balance and be detrimental to states that have successfully controlled population growth.
The recent outreach by Mr. Rijiju to Mr. Gandhi is being interpreted as a conciliatory gesture from the government to build cross-party support. Sources say the Minister discussed the bill's merits and assured that all concerns would be considered before any formal move. However, no official confirmation has been received from either the Ministry of Law and Justice or the Congress party.
Political observers point out that the government's need to pass constitutional amendments, which require a two-thirds majority in both Houses, makes it imperative to bring the opposition on board. The defeated bill had left the government exploring alternative strategies, including introducing it anew in the upcoming winter session. The timing of the outreach has fuelled speculation that the bill may be revived in a revised form, possibly with changes to address opposition objections.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the Congress said the party had not received any formal communication, but added that the party’s position on the bill would be guided by the principles of federalism and social justice. The spokesperson said that no decision has been taken on the matter and that any dialogue would be considered on its merits.
Meanwhile, the government has not officially commented on the reported contact. The Law Ministry has maintained silence on the issue, but officials have indicated that the government remains committed to ensuring fair and timely delimitation as per constitutional provisions. The ministry has also highlighted that the process is essential for ensuring that India’s representational framework aligns with demographic realities.
The issue is likely to be taken up in the next session of Parliament, though no official legislative business has been announced yet. The prospect of the bill’s revival has drawn attention to the larger debate over political representation in India’s federal structure. While some parties have demanded that states with better population control should not be penalised, others have called for the bill to be introduced only after a comprehensive discussion involving all stakeholders.
As the government explores options to revive the measure, the outreach to the opposition leader is seen as a significant step toward breaking the logjam. Whether it will lead to a resolution or further political contention remains to be seen. For now, the move has opened a window for dialogue, and the coming days may provide clarity on the future of the delimitation bill.
