The Union government may re-introduce a constitution amendment bill on women’s reservation and delimitation after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Supriya Sule stated her party would consider support if the legislation guarantees a uniform 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states. According to Sule, the bill must also clearly define the delimitation formula for every constituency.
NCP (SP) Conditions for Supporting Delimitation Bill
Supriya Sule told reporters in Mumbai that her party has not yet taken an official position but would discuss the matter within the INDIA bloc if a provision for a 50% proportional seat increase is included. She emphasized the need for a 50% cap to ensure “no state faces injustice.”
Sule alleged that previous assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding these caps were not reflected in the earlier version of the bill. The NCP (SP) previously voted against the legislation.
Did You Know? The previous Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to reach the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, losing 298 to 230.
Legislative Requirements and the 2011 Census
The proposed Delimitation Bill seeks to redraw constituency boundaries based on the 2011 census. This process is a prerequisite for implementing 33% quotas for women in legislatures. The government’s previous push aimed to raise the Lok Sabha seat cap from 550 to 850.
A government functionary stated that parties, including the DMK in Tamil Nadu, were previously assured their representation would increase proportionally. However, the official claimed coalition compulsions within the INDIA bloc led those parties to oppose the draft.
NDA Voting Math and Opposition Shifts
The ruling NDA currently holds 293 members in the 540-member Lok Sabha and needs 360 votes for the bill’s passage. In the 245-member Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 149 members and requires 164 for success.
Several shifts in lawmaker loyalty may impact these numbers. Twenty of 28 Trinamool Congress lawmakers have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, and six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs recently switched to the Shiv Sena. Additionally, the DMK has had a fallout with the Congress and missed INDIA bloc meetings.
A TDP lawmaker expressed confidence that the government will change the bill’s text, citing Amit Shah’s previous statements on the house floor.
Opposition Stance and Next Steps
The Samajwadi Party (SP) remains critical. SP spokesperson Abbas Haider stated the party wants women’s reservation implemented before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections but will not let the government use delimitation to “weaken the Opposition.”
Other leaders report no formal communication from the government. Congress Rajya Sabha chief whip Jairam Ramesh and TMC Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien both told reporters the government has not reached out to them regarding a new bill.
A DMK lawmaker indicated the party will wait for the all-party meeting scheduled for Sunday before commenting. A person aware of the details noted the government is keen to introduce the bill provided it has the necessary numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary requirement for the women’s reservation quota?
The implementation of 33% quotas for women in legislatures requires the prior execution of a delimitation process to redraw boundaries based on the 2011 census.
Why did the previous version of the bill fail?
The bill was defeated 298 to 230 in the Lok Sabha because it failed to reach the two-thirds majority mark, with the Opposition citing a lack of written guarantees for a uniform 50% seat increase per state.
How many votes does the NDA need to pass the bill?
The NDA needs 360 votes in the Lok Sabha and 164 votes in the Rajya Sabha.
Do you believe a written guarantee of proportional seat increases is sufficient to secure cross-party support for women’s reservation?
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