Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Congress Questions Lok Sabha Delay Over Delimitation Bill
The Lok Sabha was adjourned, but it has not formally ended its session.
Jairam Ramesh of the Congress party asked why this had not happened after 10 days.
He suggested that Home Minister Amit Shah might still be trying to gather enough votes.
The votes would be needed to pass a constitutional amendment about delimiting election seats.
The proposed plan also aims to bring women’s reservation forward to 2029.
Another bill could increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to about 850.
The government says every state would gain seats in the same proportion as before.
It says this would avoid changing the balance between states based on the 1971 Census.
Jairam Ramesh questioned why the Lok Sabha had not been prorogued 10 days after being adjourned sine die.
Ramesh asked whether Amit Shah was seeking a two-thirds majority for a special-session vote on a delimitation amendment.
The proposed package includes a Constitutional Amendment Bill to advance women’s reservation to 2029.
A separate Delimitation Bill could increase the Lok Sabha’s strength to as many as 850 seats.
The government says every state would receive a 50% seat increase, preserving current proportions based on the 1971 Census.
- Who
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the government and referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Ramesh questioned the delay in proroguing the Lok Sabha and whether the government was seeking a two-thirds majority for a delimitation-related Constitutional Amendment Bill.
- When
- Sunday; the Lok Sabha had remained unprorogued 10 days after being adjourned sine die.
- Where
- The Lok Sabha and the proposed special session of Parliament.
- Why
- The proposed legislative package concerns advancing women’s reservation to 2029 and increasing Lok Sabha representation through delimitation.
Congress’s questions
Government’s stated position
Reason for the session delay
Congress’s questions
Jairam Ramesh questioned why the Lok Sabha had not been prorogued and suggested Amit Shah might still be seeking the required two-thirds majority.
Government’s stated position
The article does not provide a direct government response to the prorogation question.
Effect of delimitation on states
Congress’s questions
Congress raised questions about the proposed delimitation legislation and its constitutional approval.
Government’s stated position
The government says every state would receive a 50% increase in seats, preserving the current proportion allocated to states.
- Question raised by
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications
- Session status
- The Lok Sabha had been adjourned sine die but had not been prorogued after 10 days
- Majority mentioned
- A two-thirds majority would be needed for the Constitutional Amendment Bill
- Women’s reservation
- The proposed amendment would advance it to 2029
- Possible Lok Sabha size
- The Delimitation Bill could increase the strength to up to 850 seats
- Government’s stated approach
- All states would receive a 50% increase in seats
- Existing allocation basis
- The proportion of seats between states is currently based on the 1971 Census