5 days ago
Kharge urges Modi to preserve Lok Sabha's 543-seat strength
Delimitation means changing the boundaries of voting areas.
The Union government has proposed changing these boundaries and possibly changing how many seats some areas have in the Lok Sabha.
Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the Lok Sabha at 543 seats for 25 years.
He also asked the government to discuss the plan with all political parties.
Kharge said parties should get enough time to study the proposal before Parliament considers it.
He wants one-third of seats to be reserved for women starting in 2029.
A related bill introduced in April did not receive the required support in the Lok Sabha, according to the article.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay also asked for assurances that states would not lose representation.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the Lok Sabha at 543 seats for the next 25 years.
Kharge requested an all-party meeting on the proposed delimitation exercise and adequate time for parties to study the plan.
He called for one-third women’s reservation to begin with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The government introduced a constitutional amendment bill in April to amend the Women’s Reservation Act and redraw constituency boundaries.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay separately sought assurances that no state’s parliamentary representation would decline because of delimitation.
- Who
- Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union government, Opposition parties, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.
- What
- Kharge demanded that the Lok Sabha remain at 543 seats for 25 years, sought an all-party meeting on delimitation, and asked for women’s reservation from 2029.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Lok Sabha and Parliament in India; Tamil Nadu has also called for safeguards during delimitation.
- When
- Kharge made the request in a Thursday letter; the related bill was introduced on April 16 and 17, and Parliament’s Monsoon session ended on August 13.
- Why
- Kharge said the delimitation proposal could significantly affect the country and should not be passed without broader consultation and time for review.
Congress and state representation concerns
Union government’s delimitation proposal
Lok Sabha seat allocation
Congress and state representation concerns
Mallikarjun Kharge and Tamil Nadu’s Assembly want the Lok Sabha to remain at 543 seats, with Kharge specifying the next 25 years.
Union government’s delimitation proposal
The Union government has proposed a delimitation exercise involving the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries; the article does not state its position on permanently retaining 543 seats.
Consultation before legislation
Congress and state representation concerns
Kharge wants an all-party meeting and adequate time for political parties to study the proposal before it is introduced in any special session.
Union government’s delimitation proposal
The government introduced the constitutional amendment bill during a three-day special session in April, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said a session could be called while Parliament had not been prorogued.
Effect on states
Congress and state representation concerns
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay requested legislative assurance that no state’s representation in Parliament would decline because of delimitation.
Union government’s delimitation proposal
The article describes the government’s proposal to redraw constituencies but does not provide a response from the Union government to Tamil Nadu’s request.
Key facts
- Current Lok Sabha strength
- 543 seats
- Kharge’s proposed duration
- The 543-seat strength should remain unchanged for 25 years.
- Women’s reservation
- Kharge wants one-third reservation implemented from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Proposed legislation
- The government introduced the 2026 Constitution 131st Amendment Bill in April.
- Bill’s stated purpose
- To amend the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act and redraw electoral constituency boundaries.
- Lok Sabha vote
- The article said consideration of the bill was rejected, with 298 MPs voting in favour and 230 against.
- Tamil Nadu resolution
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly called for the Lok Sabha’s strength to permanently remain at 543 seats.
Quotes
Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
“When the House is not prorogued , then the session can be called,”
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Sources
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