The central government is considering a major expansion of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, a move aimed at facilitating the implementation of the long-pending women’s reservation law along with a fresh delimitation exercise. Sources indicated that a draft bill detailing the proposal has already been circulated among Members of Parliament, with key constitutional amendments expected to be introduced during a special three-day session.
The proposed expansion would allocate 815 seats to states and 35 to Union Territories, significantly increasing representation. Officials believe this step will help streamline the rollout of the 33 per cent reservation for women in both Parliament and state assemblies by allowing constituencies to be redrawn more effectively.
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The delimitation process is likely to be based on the 2011 Census, a point that has triggered strong reactions from Opposition parties. Groups such as the Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are expected to oppose this, demanding that updated population data from the 2021 Census be used instead.
Concerns have also been raised over the absence of clarity on a “quota within quota” for women from backward classes. Meanwhile, leaders from the INDIA bloc are preparing a coordinated response ahead of discussions. With constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds majority, the government may need Opposition support, making the upcoming session crucial for consensus-building.
