Hope of increased consensus on Delimitation Bill, Government’s positive stance on Supriya Sule’s condition of 50% seat increase

Tezzbuzz Desk- Amidst the ongoing political turmoil over the Delimitation Bill, there are now signs of a consensus being reached between the government and the opposition. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sharad Pawar faction leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule had set a condition of 50 percent increase in Lok Sabha and Assembly seats to support the bill. Now according to sources, the government may adopt a positive stance on this demand and is considering including a provision for 50 percent increase in seats in the proposal. The government is also ready to discuss various options related to delimitation with the opposition parties. It is believed that the government’s aim is to take this bill forward with broad consensus while addressing the concerns of all parties.

Earlier, Supriya Sule had said that her party would consider supporting the bill only if the government gives a provision in writing for 50 percent increase in seats. He had made it clear that a final decision on this issue cannot be taken without seeing the official copy of the bill. Supriya Sule had recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with opposition leaders. He had told that Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant and Asaduddin Owaisi and other leaders were called in the meeting. During this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed him about the proposals related to the Delimitation Bill.

During the meeting, Amit Shah reportedly proposed that instead of reallocating seats on the basis of population, the existing Lok Sabha seats could be increased by 50 percent. Under this model, expansion can be done keeping in mind the ratio of existing seats of all the states. However, Supriya Sule also put forward the concerns of the southern states. He said that if seats are expanded only on the basis of population, then the southern states may suffer because these states have performed better in population control. He said that the process of delimitation should be such that it is fair and acceptable to all the states.

Supriya Sule also said that her party is not against any bill, but transparency and balance are necessary in policy making. He said that the government should provide a written copy of the delimitation bill, in which a clear formula for increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats has been given. He said discussions would be held with other parties of the opposition alliance before taking a final decision. Now everyone’s eyes are on the final draft coming from the government, after which the political picture regarding the Delimitation Bill may become clearer.