Lok Sabha Seats Increase Plan Set For 50% Rise
- Lok Sabha seats increase and Assembly seats expansion plan
- Delimitation bill and NDA meeting discuss seat increase
Hyderabad, March 24: The Central government has decided to increase Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in all states by 50%. The proposed bill is likely to be introduced in the current session of Parliament.
According to the plan, the number of Parliamentary seats will rise from 543 to 816. Similarly, Assembly seats across the country will increase from 4,123 to 6,185. The government shared these details with its allies during an NDA meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Meanwhile, separate discussions were also held with non Congress opposition parties. Shah is also expected to hold talks with the Congress.
The proposal includes changes to key laws. The government plans to introduce amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act and the Delimitation Act. After Parliament passes the bill, the Centre is expected to form a Delimitation Commission. This body will oversee the seat increase and aim to implement it by the 2029 elections.
At the state level, the impact will be significant. Telangana Assembly seats will rise from 119 to 179. Andhra Pradesh Assembly seats will increase from 175 to 263. Likewise, Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh may go up from 25 to 38, while Telangana may see an increase from 17 to 26.
Furthermore, the government indicated that SC and ST reservations will increase in proportion to the rise in seats. This step aims to maintain representation balance.
However, the plan comes amid concerns from southern states. Political parties have raised fears that proportional increases based on census data could widen the gap between North and South India. Therefore, the government has opted for an average 50% increase across all states to ensure balanced representation.
The timeline also links to census data. Under Articles 170(3) and 81(3) of the Constitution, constituency redistribution depends on census figures after 2026. With the census expected to be completed by March 1, 2027, preliminary data may allow early delimitation.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Reservation provision passed in September 2023 sets 33% reservation for women from 2034. The new proposal may influence its implementation timeline.
Opposition leaders, led by Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha, are scheduled to meet to respond to the government’s move.
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