NEW DELHI: Opposition parties Tuesday said they will vote against the constitutional amendment on delimitation that proposes to raise Lok Sabha strength from 543 to 850, calling it a “dangerous” move that could reduce the share of southern, north-western, north-eastern and smaller states. Congress neta Rahul Gandhi termed it an “anti-national act”. The parties also questioned govt’s intent behind the proposed delimitation commission, citing what they called “politically motivated” and “communal” gerrymandering in Assam and J&K, and dubbed the panel a weapon in the hands of governing BJP.The opposition demanded that Modi govt immediately implement 33% women’s reservation in legislatures based on current LS strength of 543 seats, by following Article 334(a), passed unanimously in 2023. The provision says the quota will be operationalised after delimitation based on 2027 Census. Opposition netas argued that Census data would be available by then and delimitation within the existing 543 seats could be completed before the 2029 general elections, criticising govt’s proposal to rely on the 2011 Census.The INDIA bloc, along with AAP, met at Congress chief Kharge’s residence Wednesday to finalise a joint stand on the proposed bills, including delimitation and women’s reservation. Participants included SP, DMK, TMC, Shiv Sena, NCP, National Conference, RSP, CPI-ML, IUML, CPM and CPI, while Hemant Soren and Uddhav joined remotely.Flanked by netas, including T R Baalu, Omar Abdullah, N K Premachandran, Supriya Sule, Ramashankar Rajbhar, Sagarika Ghose, Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Singh, Annie Raja, Naseer Hussain and Jairam Ramesh, Kharge said, “We are for women’s reservation, but delimitation is a politically motivated move to trap and suppress opposition parties.” Congress MP K C Venugopal said, “We will certainly vote against delimitation.”Sources said Rahul Gandhi stressed that all MPs must be present during voting. TMC’s Ghose reportedly said some members may be busy campaigning in WB, but several netas, including Rahul, argued that abstention would effectively aid BJP. DMK’s Baalu is learnt to have said his party was scaling back campaigning in TN to ensure attendance. Thackeray said he would speak to Mamata Banerjee to ensure full participation, while parties like Congress, DMK, SP, Shiv Sena and NCP are expected to be present in strength.DMK chief MK Stalin said, “Across Tamil Nadu, black flags will rise from homes and public spaces on April 16 against delimitation. Every south Indian south of Vindhyas is seething with anger. BJP is playing with fire.”Netas cautioned that BJP may attempt to portray opposition as anti-women quota, and said they would clarify their support for reservation. Senior lawyer and MP Kapil Sibal warned that delimitation could give BJP a future two-thirds majority, enab-ling constitutional changes.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India In Talks With Many Countries Over Hormuz’: MEA Amid US’ Naval BlockadeTamil Nadu elections 2026: Freebies war heats up between DMK, AIADMK & rivals’Not Shehbaz Sharif’: Ex-Minister Fawad Chaudhry Calls Asim Munir ‘De Facto Leader Of Pakistan’TCS Row Explodes: Horrific Details Of Sexual Abuse, Conversion Claims Rock India’s CorporateWomen’s Reservation Bill A ‘Trick’ To Hike Lok Sabha Seats? | Delimitation | Slam Dunk With TehseenIndia Bloc Backs Women’s Reservation But Opposes Delimitation, Flags Risk Of Political Power Shift‘Completely Unacceptable’: Jaishankar Slams Attacks On Merchant Shipping At Azec Plus MeetWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide Protests123PhotostoriesChef Vikas Khanna makes it to 100 Most Influential People of 2026: 5 success lessons to learn from his culinary journeyFrom growing up in a conservative family to shooting her debut music video without informing them: Naagin 7’s Kanika Mann opens up about her journeyChandigarh’s Billionaire Lanes: 5 premium regions where the city’s rich live6 desi Indian dishes among Top 32 Rice Puddings in the WorldRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes
NEW DELHI: Opposition parties Tuesday said they will vote against the constitutional amendment on delimitation that proposes to raise Lok Sabha strength from 543 to 850, calling it a “dangerous” move that could reduce the share of southern, north-western, north-eastern and smaller states. Congress neta Rahul Gandhi termed it an “anti-national act”. The parties also questioned govt’s intent behind the proposed delimitation commission, citing what they called “politically motivated” and “communal” gerrymandering in Assam and J&K, and dubbed the panel a weapon in the hands of governing BJP.The opposition demanded that Modi govt immediately implement 33% women’s reservation in legislatures based on current LS strength of 543 seats, by following Article 334(a), passed unanimously in 2023. The provision says the quota will be operationalised after delimitation based on 2027 Census. Opposition netas argued that Census data would be available by then and delimitation within the existing 543 seats could be completed before the 2029 general elections, criticising govt’s proposal to rely on the 2011 Census.The INDIA bloc, along with AAP, met at Congress chief Kharge’s residence Wednesday to finalise a joint stand on the proposed bills, including delimitation and women’s reservation. Participants included SP, DMK, TMC, Shiv Sena, NCP, National Conference, RSP, CPI-ML, IUML, CPM and CPI, while Hemant Soren and Uddhav joined remotely.Flanked by netas, including T R Baalu, Omar Abdullah, N K Premachandran, Supriya Sule, Ramashankar Rajbhar, Sagarika Ghose, Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Singh, Annie Raja, Naseer Hussain and Jairam Ramesh, Kharge said, “We are for women’s reservation, but delimitation is a politically motivated move to trap and suppress opposition parties.” Congress MP K C Venugopal said, “We will certainly vote against delimitation.“Sources said Rahul Gandhi stressed that all MPs must be present during voting. TMC’s Ghose reportedly said some members may be busy campaigning in WB, but several netas, including Rahul, argued that abstention would effectively aid BJP. DMK’s Baalu is learnt to have said his party was scaling back campaigning in TN to ensure attendance. Thackeray said he would speak to Mamata Banerjee to ensure full participation, while parties like Congress, DMK, SP, Shiv Sena and NCP are expected to be present in strength.DMK chief MK Stalin said, “Across Tamil Nadu, black flags will rise from homes and public spaces on April 16 against delimitation. Every south Indian south of Vindhyas is seething with anger. BJP is playing with fire.”Netas cautioned that BJP may attempt to portray opposition as anti-women quota, and said they would clarify their support for reservation. Senior lawyer and MP Kapil Sibal warned that delimitation could give BJP a future two-thirds majority, enab-ling constitutional changes.
