A high-stakes political confrontation is set to unfold in Parliament (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: A high-stakes political confrontation is set to unfold as Parliament convenes a three-day session from Thursday to take up key legislations, including the Women’s Reservation Bill and two delimitation-related bills.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce the bills in the Lok Sabha, with extended debates likely in both Houses.
The proposal for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha has largely received consensus across political parties, indicating smooth passage on that front.
Delimitation, Not Women’s Reservation, Is the Real Issue: Sonia Gandhi
However, the government’s move to link the implementation of women’s reservation with a broader delimitation exercise has emerged as a major point of contention.
The Centre plans to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 seats, with 815 allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories.
Opposition parties, led by the INDIA bloc, have raised concerns that the proposed delimitation could alter the balance of representation, particularly disadvantaging southern states.
A coordination meeting of opposition leaders was held at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge to formulate a joint response.
Several chief ministers from southern states have strongly opposed the move. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has already announced statewide protests, accusing the Centre of pushing the proposal during election season.
Revanth Reddy has called for a united southern front, while Siddaramaiah alleged that the exercise could “redistribute political power” unfairly.
The government has rejected these concerns, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserting that all regions and communities have been fairly considered.
Delimitation Bill: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin announces black flags protest, terms it ‘historic injustice’
He accused certain groups of misleading southern states and maintained that there was no reason for apprehension.
Despite its confidence, the government faces a numerical challenge. The BJP-led NDA currently holds 293 seats in the Lok Sabha, short of the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendments.
The opposition INDIA bloc, with 234 MPs, including Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress and Left parties, has indicated strong resistance. Some regional parties, including the Samajwadi Party, are yet to clarify their stance.
