New Delhi

Leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance and opposition parties sparred on Thursday over the women’s reservation and delimitation bills, with the government defending the move as historic and opponents warning it could hurt India’s federal balance.

According to a parliamentary bulletin, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, Delimitation Bill, 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were slated for introduction and debate in the Lok Sabha.

The bills seek amendments to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, by 2029.

Giriraj Singh said women had waited for years for representation and expressed confidence the proposal would receive broad support. He also dismissed fears over delimitation, saying no state, including southern states, would face discrimination.

Sandhya Roy called the move historic and said it would significantly expand women’s participation in governance.

Under the draft bill, Lok Sabha strength may rise to 850 seats from the current 543 after a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. State and Union Territory assemblies would also see an increase in seats to accommodate the quota, with reserved seats rotating among constituencies.

Lovely Anand criticised the opposition for objecting before the process had begun, saying half the population was finally getting its due.

Opposition leaders said they supported women’s reservation but opposed linking it to delimitation.

K. Suresh said the Indian National Congress backs women’s quota but strongly opposes the delimitation bill.

Hibi Eden called the delimitation proposal a direct attack on the Constitution and cooperative federalism, arguing southern states that performed better in population control would be penalised.

Akhilesh Yadav said his party supported reservation for women but opposed the haste and reliance on 2011 Census data. He added that a fresh census would also trigger demands for caste-based enumeration and proportionate reservation.

Arvind Sawant said his party had concerns over how delimitation exercises are carried out.

T. R. Baalu said M. K. Stalin had publicly burnt the draft bill at a rally in Salem to signal opposition.

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The ruling National Democratic Alliance has 292 MPs in the Lok Sabha, while major opposition parties have 233. Passage of the constitutional amendment bill requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.