NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Leaders of the ruling NDA and the opposition on Thursday engaged in a sharp exchange over Bills seeking to amend the women’s reservation law and establish a delimitation commission, with the government defending the move and opposition parties warning of threats to federalism and democratic balance.
The proposed legislations — including the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Delimitation Bill, 2026, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — were listed for introduction and debate in the Lok Sabha as part of a special sitting aimed at enabling implementation of 33% reservation for women by 2029.
The draft amendment Bill proposes increasing Lok Sabha strength to 850 seats from 543, alongside expansion in state and Union Territory assemblies, with reserved seats for women to be allotted on a rotational basis.
NDA leaders backed the move, calling it a long-awaited step toward women’s empowerment. BJP MP Giriraj Singh expressed confidence of broad support, asserting that women had waited years for reservation and concerns over delimitation were unfounded.
BJP MP Sandhya Roy termed the initiative historic, while JD(U) MP Lovely Anand criticised the opposition for opposing a measure aimed at benefiting women.
Opposition leaders, while reiterating support for women’s reservation, raised objections to linking it with delimitation. Congress leader K Suresh said his party opposes the delimitation proposal, while MP Hibi Eden termed it an attack on the Constitution and warned of imbalance between northern and southern states.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the haste, arguing that delimitation based on the 2011 Census without a fresh enumeration would not ensure fair representation. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant also expressed reservations over the process.
DMK MP T R Baalu cited protests by party leadership, signalling strong opposition to the draft Bill.
The ruling NDA currently holds 292 seats in the Lok Sabha, while major opposition parties account for 233. Passage of the Constitution amendment Bill will require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. (Agencies)
