Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the growing political storm over the delimitation proposal and related reforms in Parliament. Responding to sharp criticism from the Opposition, he assured that fairness would remain central to the process. His remarks come as tensions rise over the Modi delimitation bill.
PM Promises Fairness Across Regions
Speaking during the debate, the Prime Minister said India must be seen as one unified nation rather than divided regions. He assured lawmakers that no state would face injustice under the Modi delimitation bill and stressed that the Centre would ensure balanced representation from north to south and east to west.
The assurance comes amid strong opposition from southern states, especially Tamil Nadu. Leaders there fear that population-based seat redistribution could reduce their representation in Parliament, making the Modi delimitation bill a politically sensitive issue ahead of elections.
Women’s Reservation Adds To The Debate
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns surrounding the proposed 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha. Government sources clarified that while the total number of seats will increase by nearly 50%, the proportional share of each state will remain unchanged.
Taking a dig at Opposition parties, Modi said those who had resisted women’s reservation in the past faced consequences in elections. He added that had such reforms been introduced decades ago, India would have evolved into a more mature democracy. The discussion around women’s reservation has now become closely linked with the Modi delimitation bill.
Opposition Calls Proposal “Flawed”
Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, have criticised the proposals and termed them an “assault on democracy.” They argue that combining delimitation with women’s reservation is a strategy to push through controversial reforms.
Critics claim the Modi delimitation bill could alter the federal balance and disproportionately benefit certain regions. However, the government has maintained that the reforms aim to improve governance and representation without disadvantaging any state.
What Happens Next
All three bills, including the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850, have now been tabled in Parliament. The debate around the Modi delimitation bill is expected to intensify in the coming days as both the government and Opposition continue to push their positions.
FAQs
Q: What is the Modi delimitation bill?
A: The Modi delimitation bill refers to the proposal to redraw parliamentary constituencies and increase Lok Sabha seats while maintaining proportional state representation.
Q: Why are southern states opposing the Modi delimitation bill?
A: Southern states fear that population-based redistribution could reduce their political representation.
Q: How is women’s reservation linked to the Modi delimitation bill?
A: The government plans to expand seats and introduce 33% reservation for women alongside delimitation changes.
Q: Will any state lose representation under the Modi delimitation bill?
A: The government says no state will face injustice, but concerns remain among Opposition leaders.
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