In a sharp critique of the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday cautioned the government against rushing into a process that could significantly alter India’s political balance. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Tharoor likened the move to the controversial 2016 Indian Demonetisation, calling it “political demonetisation” with potentially far-reaching consequences.
Drawing parallels with the 2016 decision announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor argued that the same haste that marked demonetisation now appears to be driving the delimitation push. “And we all know what damage that did,” he remarked, urging the government to reconsider. “Don’t do it,” he said bluntly.
At the heart of Tharoor’s concern is the census-based reallocation of parliamentary seats. He pointed out that such a model could disadvantage southern states like Kerala, which have successfully controlled population growth, while benefiting more populous northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. According to him, this would upset the federal balance and penalise states for effective governance.
The Congress leader also questioned the assurance offered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had suggested a 50% increase in the total number of Lok Sabha seats to maintain proportional representation for all states. Tharoor argued that this “50% formula” lacks legal backing and is not enshrined in any constitutional or legislative provision.
“This remains a precarious political assurance, not a legislative certainty,” he said, adding that the existing legal framework gives sweeping powers to the Delimitation Commission, whose decisions cannot be challenged in court. Without codification, he warned, the government’s promise could be easily altered or withdrawn by a simple parliamentary majority.
Beyond the question of fairness, Tharoor also raised practical concerns about expanding the size of Parliament. He argued that increasing the number of MPs to around 850 would make the Lok Sabha the largest legislative body in any democracy, potentially rendering it “unwieldy and unworkable.”
Citing a decline in parliamentary sittings—from an average of 125 days annually in the early Lok Sabhas to fewer than 60 days in recent terms—Tharoor questioned how a significantly larger House could function effectively within an already constrained schedule. He warned that essential parliamentary processes like Question Hour and Zero Hour would require substantially more time to accommodate the increased membership.
A day earlier, Tharoor had also criticised the government for linking women’s reservation to delimitation, arguing that the two issues should be treated separately. While reiterating support for women’s reservation, he insisted that delimitation requires deeper deliberation and cannot be rushed through in a matter of days.
As the debate intensifies, Tharoor’s remarks underscore growing opposition concerns over the timing, intent, and implications of the delimitation exercise—one that could reshape India’s political landscape for decades to come.
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