INDIA bloc calls bill ‘politically motivated’; Centre assures consultations
The Opposition’s INDIA bloc on Wednesday said it supports women’s reservation but will oppose the proposed delimitation bill, calling the move “politically motivated” and warning of its impact on representation across states.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Opposition parties would resist the bill in Parliament, drawing a clear distinction between backing 33 per cent reservation for women and objecting to the manner in which the government is linking it with delimitation.
“We are not against women’s reservation, but oppose the way the government is bringing the bills. It is politically motivated. We have decided to oppose the delimitation bill,” Kharge said after a meeting of Opposition parties.
Opposition leaders raised concerns over the absence of a recent census and the potential impact of delimitation on the balance of representation among states.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the proposed exercise could alter the proportion of parliamentary seats across states, warning that it could disadvantage some regions. He also alleged that past delimitation exercises reflected political bias.
“This delimitation is very dangerous… the proportion of many states will decrease,” Ramesh said, adding that Opposition parties want women’s reservation to be implemented based on the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised the timing of the move, alleging that the government was attempting to push the bill during ongoing elections in several states. “We will take a collective decision and defeat the bill,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the delimitation process would involve consultations.
Sitharaman said: “There will be a delimitation committee for every state, and it will talk to all parties then only a call will be taken. So why is the fear? You have a fear of the SIR, the Election Commission, Parliament. You have a fear about every law which is passed.”
Sitharaman also targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her opposition to the move and asking whether she supported the implementation of women’s reservation.
Banerjee had earlier alleged that the proposed delimitation exercise could “divide Bengal” and accused the Centre of proceeding without adequate consultation.
The Centre has indicated that any increase in Lok Sabha seats, currently 543, would depend on the recommendations of delimitation panels to be constituted in each state, with proposals suggesting the number could rise significantly. (With inputs from agencies)
