Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Kerala that the government has ensured 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and aims to implement it from 2029. He announced that Parliament
will reconvene from April 16 to 18 to take forward the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
He urged all political parties to support the bill, calling it a step towards strengthening democracy and empowering women.
No reduction in seats, says PM
Modi addressed concerns around seat rationalisation based on population and said no state will lose representation. He said the total number of Lok Sabha seats will increase and that the additional seats will include those reserved for women.
He added that states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, which have controlled population growth, will not see any reduction in seats. The government has also invited the Opposition, including Congress and the INDI Alliance, for discussions.
Plan to expand Lok Sabha strength
The Prime Minister said the reservation for women will be over and above the current strength of Parliament. This is the first clear indication that the government plans to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to implement the law.
Reports suggest the strength could rise to 816 seats, with 273 reserved for women, while maintaining proportional representation for states.
Special Parliament session
A special three-day sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18 will focus on fast-tracking the implementation of the law. The government wants to separate the bill from the ongoing census and roll it out from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, assembly elections are scheduled in Kerala on April 9, with counting on May 4. Polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will be held later in April.
Opposition raises concerns
Opposition parties have criticised the plan to expand Lok Sabha seats and set up a delimitation commission, warning of possible consequences and alleging it could violate the model code of conduct during ongoing elections.
Leaders from southern states, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, have raised concerns about what they described as a potentially unfair delimitation process. At the same time, Congress has indicated it may support amendments to the bill.
Call for unity on Women’s Bill
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla urged all parties to support the bill and not make excuses on women’s empowerment. He said the government is committed to implementing the law at the earliest.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that Parliament will take up the bill during the April session and called for political unity on the issue.
What the law provides?
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women. It also includes quotas within reserved seats for SC and ST women.
The law is set to be implemented after delimitation linked to the 2026 Census, with seats rotating every decade. It does not include a quota for OBCs and aims to increase women’s representation in Parliament from the current levels.
