Just hours before a crucial vote in the Lok Sabha on the women’s reservation and delimitation bills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all Members of Parliament to support what he described as the “women power of the country.”
The bills—introduced by law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal—include the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Together, they propose expanding the size of the Lok Sabha, redrawing constituencies based on the 2011 Census, and implementing women’s reservation after delimitation. The provisions would also extend to Union Territories such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir.
After a marathon 12-hour debate, the House saw 251 members vote in favour and 185 against, out of 333 votes cast, allowing the bills to move forward.
However, the proposals have triggered strong opposition, particularly from leaders representing southern states. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the opposition is seeking clarity from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding seat calculations. Shah had stated that seats across states would increase by around 50%.
Critics, including Manickam Tagore and A Raja, argue that southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana could be disproportionately affected, potentially reducing their relative representation.
Shah, however, sought to reassure the House, saying that while the total number of seats would rise significantly, the proportional share of southern states would also increase.
The debate also saw sharp political exchanges. Indian National Congress criticised the bills, calling them detrimental to national unity. Asaduddin Owaisi warned that the legislation could marginalise opposition voices, while Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of avoiding a caste census and using the women’s reservation issue as a political slogan.
As deliberations continue, the final decision on the bills is expected after further debate in the Lok Sabha.
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