The Lok Sabha on Friday witnessed a heated debate over delimitation and women’s reservation, with the Opposition led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attacking the government over its proposals.
The Opposition warned that delimitation could widen a “north-south divide” and reduce the political weight of southern and northeastern states. While supporting women’s reservation in principle, it criticised the method of implementation.
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The government, however, assured that no state would lose representation. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Lok Sabha strength would increase to 815 seats, with 272 seats reserved for women, including representation for SC and ST women.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah defended the proposals, saying no state would be discriminated against. Shah added that southern states would collectively gain seats after delimitation.
Despite the heated debate, the Lok Sabha later defeated the three bills related to women’s reservation and delimitation without a fresh census, with 278 votes in favour and 211 against.
