The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, could support the Narendra Modi government if it reintroduces the Delimitation Bill in Parliament, but the party has placed three key conditions before extending its backing, according to party sources.
The DMK has so far strongly opposed the proposed delimitation exercise, arguing that it could disadvantage southern states that have successfully controlled population growth. However, sources said the party could reconsider its position if the Centre incorporates its demands in the legislation.
The first condition concerns the existing freeze on Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census. The freeze, which prevents the redistribution of parliamentary seats based on subsequent population changes, is scheduled to end in 2027. The DMK wants the freeze to be extended for another 25 years through a Constitutional amendment.
The second demand is for a blanket 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats for every state. According to DMK sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had verbally assured the party of such an increase when the legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha in April. The DMK now wants this assurance to be reflected in the legislation.
The party's third condition is that the Centre should publish the complete list of revised Lok Sabha constituencies for all states along with the new Delimitation Bill. The DMK wants the proposed changes to constituencies to be made transparent before the legislation is considered for passage.
If the Centre accepts all three conditions, the DMK could support the bill, sources said. However, the party leadership is expected to take a final decision only after examining the final draft and its detailed provisions.
The DMK's possible shift assumes significance as the NDA government is seeking the constitutionally required numbers to pass the legislation. The proposed delimitation exercise is aimed at increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from the existing 543 seats to 816 seats, with the exercise also linked to the implementation of the women's reservation law.
When the bill was previously introduced in April, it received 298 votes in the Lok Sabha, with four YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MPs, one Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) member and an independent MP supporting it. However, a two-thirds majority would require 360 votes if all 540 members are present and voting.
The NDA currently has 319 members in the Lok Sabha, according to the figures cited by party sources. With the DMK's 22 MPs, the government's strength could rise to 341. There is also speculation that the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) could support the legislation, although the party has not formally clarified its position.
If the YSRCP and ZPM again back the bill, the government's tally could move closer to the required threshold. The numbers therefore make the DMK's position particularly important for the Centre.
The political backdrop has also added another dimension to the developments. The DMK had been firmly opposed to the delimitation proposal while maintaining its alliance with the Congress. Following political realignments in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly elections, including Congress entering into an arrangement with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), speculation has grown over whether the DMK could adopt a more flexible position on the legislation.
Meanwhile, reports had suggested that the Centre could convene a special Parliament session from August 16 to 18 to consider the women's reservation and delimitation Bills. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, rejected the speculation, saying there was no proposal for such a special session.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on August 13. The DMK's three conditions could therefore become a crucial point of negotiation if the government decides to bring the Delimitation Bill before Parliament again.
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