The Centre is preparing to make another attempt to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. According to sources, the government remains committed to both measures and is hopeful of securing support from sections of the opposition after the proposed constitutional amendments failed to pass earlier this year.
Sources said the NDA is exploring the possibility of issue-based backing from opposition parties, including regional outfits, to help secure the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments.
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The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill sought to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats through a fresh delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
When the bill was introduced in April, it received 298 votes in favour and 230 against. However, it fell short of the 352 votes needed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority.
With the NDA holding 293 seats in the Lok Sabha, the government is now looking beyond its alliance partners and hopes to gain support from MPs across party lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained that the proposed delimitation exercise would ensure fair representation and would not discriminate against any state.
