It was the month of March and the Budget Session was in full swing. As the end was nearing, murmurs grew louder that there could be something special up the government’s sleeve. Suspense was building over what could be on the platter as Parliament geared up for a working weekend on March 28–29.
The power corridors were abuzz with talk of closed-door meetings being held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with smaller political parties, while bigger players in the opposition like the Congress were kept out of the loop.
However, it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax as government sources hinted that perhaps the weekend would be an off day indeed, and ambiguity prevailed over the fate of expediting the amendment to the Women’s Reservation Act.
WAIT AND WATCH: NDA SIGNALS NO RETREAT
When India Today asked one of the senior leaders in the NDA government whether the government had shelved the plan because the Congress and other opposition parties had protested against hurrying the crucial amendments, he confidently replied,“Have you ever seen the NDA go on the back foot? So what if the opposition doesn’t want it? You wait and see—this will happen within a few weeks, right in the middle of April.”
It was a moral win for the opposition as the House was adjourned without being declared sine die, which meant that the Budget Session had not formally concluded.
For a while, the government underplayed any chance of having a three-day special discussion on the Women’s Reservation Act. Just when the opposition was drenched in campaign fever, the government pulled a rabbit out of the hat, announcing special dates from April 16 to 18 for its much-anticipated game-changing move, bringing it under the spotlight.
THE MANDAL NOTE: ‘RAGA’ TUNE VS BJP NARRATIVE
It took a while for the opposition to gather its wits as the government had clearly defined its line of attack and narrative building. The opposition players then swung their brahmastra—the Mandal card.
Many expressed reservations about the move being hurried to deprive OBC women, who could become a formidable force if the reservation happens after the census.
The Congress feels that the entire exercise is being expedited to bypass giving reservations to OBC women and that it is Rahul Gandhi’s OBC pitch that has flustered the BJP.
Since the Karnataka Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), has been demanding a caste census including the OBC category for fair representation in government jobs and institutions. He reiterated it on the floor of the house as well.
“This is not sudden love and affection for Nari Shakti. In 2023, they passed the bill and then set the sequence—first census, then delimitation, and then women’s reservation. Now they have flipped it. Our leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra had social justice as its central theme. While the media focused on the Ram Mandir, social justice became central to the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP lost 63 seats and did not get a full majority. They promised a caste census, but here is the catch—if women’s reservations are implemented after the census, OBC women will have to be given their due. That is why they are rushing it,” said party leader Manickam Tagore.
TIMING UNDER SCRUTINY: REFORM OR ELECTORAL STRATEGY?
The opposition is crying foul as this move comes right in the middle of a high-octane election battle. All opposition parties came together to write a letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, demanding that the issue be taken up after the assembly poll results.
Even though the Trinamool Congress has not signed the letter, it is likely to take a similar line, though articulated differently.
A senior party leader said he would rather not indulge in assumptions when the government has not clearly spelt out any specifics.
“We have an All India Working Committee headed by our Chairperson, Mamata Banerjee. Systems are in place before policy decisions are made. Modi-Shah think Parliament is the Gujarat Gymkhana! Where is the draft of the proposed legislation or any written communication from this government? Nothing.”
CHAMPIONING WOMEN VS POLITICAL COMPULSIONS
Amid the cacophony and political slug fest lies the underlying fact that no political party wants to be seen as anti-women. The government is playing every ball, fully aware that opposition parties have limited room to manoeuvre.
Who would want to draw the ire of half the country’s population by going all guns blazing against such a move? Despite reservations, any party opposing the bill outright would do so at its own peril.
AKHILESH’S ARGUMENT: CENSUS BEFORE QUOTA
Former Uttar Pradesh CM and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has taken a broader line, choosing to question the foundation of the move rather than amplifying the caste factor.
He said, “When the counting itself is wrong, how can the reservation be correct? If there is a right intention, then there is no doubt. The very basis of the Women’s Reservation Bill is mathematical—one-third of total seats. Mathematics depends on numbers, and numbers depend on the population, which is based on the census. If outdated 2011 data is used, the basis itself is flawed. When the soil is flawed, how can a true crop grow?”
He further added on X that a census must be conducted first, arguing that women should not be misled by a rushed exercise.
“A government that doesn’t want to count women—how can it provide them reservation? We will not allow the BJP and its allies to deceive women.”
CONGRESS VIEW: ‘LOLLIPOP’ POLITICS?
Rajya Sabha Congress MP Ranjit Ranjan, one of the first speakers from her party in 2023, said there was still confusion.“We supported the bill, but the BJP’s target was the 2024 elections. They handed a lollipop to women voters and said it would happen only in 2029. Now, with assembly elections in five states, they want to use it again for political gain. If implemented using current numbers, will it benefit family members of sitting MPs?”
THE DISCRIMINATION DEBATE: NORTH VS SOUTH CONCERNS
Several leaders have also raised concerns about the proposed 50 per cent increase in seats, calling it arbitrary and lacking rationale.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh went to the extent of calling it a “weapon of mass destruction,” alleging that it is being done without consultation.
“The Prime Minister claims southern states will not be affected by a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats. This is misleading and an attempt to hoodwink the country,” he said.
He further argued that the move would benefit more populous northern states while penalising those that have successfully controlled population growth.
States like Punjab, Haryana, and several northeastern states could also see their influence reduced.SP leader Dharmendra Yadav echoed concerns about lack of consultation.
“Why call everyone in the middle of elections? We haven’t even been given copies of the bill. If they are serious, why not ensure that every party fields one-third of women candidates?”
TOO MANY COOKS? CONCERNS OVER A LARGER PARLIAMENT
Many MPs fear that increasing the strength of Parliament could dilute individual voices.Former Union Minister and senior Congress MP Manish Tewari said MPs already struggle to be heard.
“When a Lok Sabha of 543 seats does not function efficiently, what will happen at 816? MPs struggle to get even a minute during Zero Hour. Leaders from smaller parties barely get 3–5 minutes. Increasing the size risks turning Parliament into something like China’s National People’s Congress—a rubber-stamp body rather than a deliberative one,” he told India Today.
WHAT LIES AHEAD: NUMBERS, NARRATIVE AND POLITICAL WILL
With opposition parties divided and the government pushing ahead, it remains to be seen how consensus will be built. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority—making the political arithmetic crucial.The battle, clearly, is not just about legislation—but also about narrative, timing, and electoral strategy.
Web of Complex Questions
1. Will Proportionality Be Skewed?
North–South Divide: Gap Widens, Not Just Numbers: The issue is not merely of percentage increase, but of proportionality between states.
For instance, the difference between Uttar Pradesh and Kerala’s Lok Sabha seats currently stands at around 60. Under the proposed expansion, this gap could widen to nearly 90. Similarly, the difference between Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is expected to increase from 41 to at least 61.
The concern being raised is that while all states may see a numerical rise, the relative gap between them will expand significantly—tilting the balance of representation.
2. Punished for Performing?
Population Control vs Political Representation: A key question being asked is: why should states that have performed well on social indicators be penalised?
he move is likely to benefit larger and more populous states, while progressive states that have successfully implemented population control measures may find themselves at a disadvantage.
This raises a critical concern—how will such states be compensated for their demographic discipline?
3. Unfair to Smaller States?
Shrinking Influence Despite Seat Increase: The concern is not limited to South India. States like Punjab and Haryana, along with those in the Northeast and even Jammu & Kashmir, could see their relative influence decline despite a nominal increase in seats.
The fear is that while absolute numbers may rise, the ability of smaller states to influence national policy could diminish.
4. The Arithmetic of Lok Sabha Seats
Census vs Pre-Decided Expansion: Lok Sabha seats were frozen based on the 1971 Census for a period of 20 years, which was later extended.
Any increase in seats is traditionally expected to be based on fresh census data. The number of seats per constituency would depend on the formula adopted by the Delimitation Commission. This leads to a fundamental question—what is the rationale behind fixing the total strength of the Lok Sabha even before conducting the census?
5. Will Consultation Resolve the Issue?
Demand for Transparency and Rationale: There is a growing demand for wider and fair consultation.Many are questioning the absence of a clear rationale behind the proposed 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across states. The formula itself is under scrutiny—what is the basis for such a uniform hike?
6. Oversized Parliament: Risk of Dysfunction?
More MPs, Less Voice? : Another pressing concern is functionality.
When 543 MPs already struggle for speaking time and jostle to raise constituency issues, will an expanded Parliament of 816 members overburden the system? There is apprehension that a significantly larger House may dilute individual voices and potentially render the legislature less effective, rather than more representative.
– Ends
Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Apr 8, 2026 12:06 IST
