Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay called a meeting of the state’s MPs on Saturday. The proposed delimitation by the Centre was discussed at the meeting, but DMK and AIADMK MPs did not attend.
Around 21 MPs from the Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK and IUML attended the meeting. According to ANI, all of them agreed that Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation should not be reduced under any future delimitation arrangement.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal also announced his support for delimitation and the Women’s Reservation Bill on Saturday.
MPs demand that the 543-seat House be retained
After the meeting, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the issue should be viewed above party politics. He said Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament must be protected.
He said, “The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had called a meeting of all MPs from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Around 21 of us attended the meeting. There was complete agreement that Tamil Nadu’s rights must be protected. Our representation in Parliament cannot be reduced.”
Understand the entire issue of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 4 points…
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, related to women’s reservation, was passed by Parliament in 2023. Its objective is to reserve one-third (33%) of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
It was brought into effect on April 16 ahead of discussions on the amendment Bill related to it. Despite the law coming into force, women will not immediately get 33% reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.
According to the 2023 law, it can be implemented only after the 2027 Census and the delimitation exercise based on it. For this, the government wants to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill, 2026.
Under the delimitation amendment Bill, the government plans to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816. Following this, 33% reservation for women will be provided in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Akali Dal supports the government
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday welcomed the Shiromani Akali Dal’s changed stance on women’s reservation and delimitation. He said all parties should come together for fair and equitable delimitation to empower women.
The SAD has demanded that Parliament pass the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill. It has also demanded that the number of seats in the states be increased uniformly by 50% so that both Bills can be implemented without further delay.
Kakoli Ghosh says no final decision has been taken on delimitation
In Kolkata on Saturday, National Citizens Party of India (NCPI) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said no final decision has been taken on the Bill yet. The issue will be discussed at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Monday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also meet NCPI MPs on Monday. Several media reports have claimed that PM Modi may soon meet BJD chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as well.
Special session was also held in April, but Bills could not be passed
The government had also called a three-day special session of Parliament from April 16 to 18. During the session, the Constitution Amendment Bill on delimitation, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were discussed.
On April 18, voting was held on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, but the government could not get the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha. Following this, the government did not introduce the other two Bills either.
