Parliament’s special session opens today with a packed legislative agenda, including major proposals that could reshape India’s electoral framework. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, along with the Delimitation Bill, 2026. In addition, Home Minister Amit Shah will table the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
As per a report by the Hindustan Times (HT), the Law Minister is also expected to seek suspension of Rule 66 in the Lok Sabha. This move would allow the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill to be passed together.
Lok Sabha expansion proposal
As per the government’s proposal, the strength of the Lok Sabha could increase significantly from 543 to 850 seats. Of these, 815 seats would be assigned to states, while 35 would go to Union Territories.
The delimitation exercise is also expected to operationalise the women’s reservation law passed in 2023. Under the proposed system, one-third of seats would be reserved for women, with constituencies being rotated over time.
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Opposition raises concerns
Per the HT report, the proposals are likely to trigger intense debate, with delimitation emerging as the central issue. Opposition parties argue that the exercise may favour northern states due to higher population growth, potentially reducing representation for southern and some northeastern regions.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the plan, calling it a “dangerous plan” and warning, “One of the BJP's dangerous plans is to "gerrymander' all Lok Sabha seats to its advantage for the 2029 elections. The proposed Bills remove all Constitutional safeguards on delimitation, giving full power to the Delimitation Commission, which the govt itself will appoint and direct.”
He further said, “We have seen how the BJP does this - it hijacked delimitation in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, where it split up anti-BJP regions and communities for electoral advantage,” and emphasised the need for a transparent and consultative process.
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Southern states step up protest
Opposition from southern leaders has also intensified. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has called for a statewide protest, urging citizens to display black flags. He stated, “Let the black flag fly tomorrow in the homes, streets, and shops of Tamil Nadu! Let it stand as our symbols of resistance at the doorsteps! This is not the struggle of an individual movement; it is the struggle of Tamil Nadu!”
The opposition has clarified that it supports women’s reservation but opposes linking it with delimitation. Critics argue that the quota could be implemented without altering the balance of representation among states.
Responding to concerns, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Delimitation Commission would engage with all political stakeholders. The government maintains that expanding the Lok Sabha is necessary to reflect population changes and improve representation across the country.
