Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sought to counter concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting in the Lok Sabha that southern states would not lose representation but, in fact, see their strength increase in the Lower House.
Addressing a special session of Parliament, Shah said a “misleading narrative” was being spread suggesting that the Constitutional Amendment Bill and related delimitation measures would disadvantage southern states. He maintained that the expansion of the Lok Sabha would ensure proportional balance while increasing overall representation.
Citing state-wise projections, Shah explained that while the total strength of the Lok Sabha could rise significantly—potentially up to over 800 members—the share of southern states would remain stable or slightly improve. For instance, Karnataka’s seats are expected to increase from 28 to 42, while its percentage share would remain nearly unchanged. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh could see its seats rise from 25 to 38, Telangana from 17 to 26, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala also witnessing notable increases.
Overall, the combined representation of the five southern states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana—is projected to rise from 129 to 195 seats, reinforcing Shah’s claim that their political weight would grow rather than diminish.
The debate comes alongside the introduction of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill is tied to a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census and aims to expand the House to accommodate the quota ahead of the 2029 general elections.
While the government argues the move ensures equitable representation and gender inclusion, opposition parties remain skeptical, questioning both the timing and the broader political implications of the proposed changes.
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