New Delhi: The number of Lok Sabha seats is likely to be increased across all states by 50 per cent as the Narendra Modi government is considering moving
a bill in Parliament to propose reservation of one-third seats for women in the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly elections. If passed, the total strength of the Lok Sabha would be increased to 816 from the existing 543, an addition of 273 seats.
However, the Opposition, including Congress, has strongly objected to the proposed amendment, claiming such a move would “disadvantage” smaller states in the South, Northeast and West.
Why is Congress opposing?
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government is proposing to bulldoze a bill to increase the size of the Lok Sabha by 50 per cent with the number of seats allocated to each state also to be increased by 50 per cent.
“The argument that a 50% increase in seats across-the-board is equitable is deceptive. Proportions may not change for the present but there are deeper implications that cannot be wished away,” Ramesh said on X.
He further said that any increase in the gap in the existing strengths of different states in the Lok Sabha will place South Indian states at a disadvantage.
Explaining why the possible move would not in the interest of southern states, he said, “For instance, currently Uttar Pradesh has 80 seats and Tamil Nadu has 39. With the proposed Bill, UP’s strength will zoom to 120 while Tamil Nadu will crawl up to at best 59. Similarly, Kerala will increase from 20 Lok Sabha seats to 30 seats, while Bihar will move from 40 to 60 seats. Overall, the southern states will gain 66 seats while the northern states will gain 200 seats.”
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “unilaterally” preparing a law that will disadvantage smaller states in the South, Northeast, and West.
“The Chief Minister of Telangana has already raised an alarm. Others may very well follow as this proposal becomes officially public,” he added.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also opposed the Centre’s proposal recently and said that the move will disproportionately benefit northern States while leaving southern states politically marginalised.
The government is planning to bring amendments to the women’s quota law for its implementation, without the delimitation and census exercises. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met leaders of some NDA allies and some non-Congress opposition floor leaders to discuss the matter.
