Delimitation Bill: Govt moves to address seat share concerns

 Govt moves to address seat share concerns

The government is preparing a clarification to address concerns that proposed delimitation could reduce the Lok Sabha seat share of southern states.

This comes as opposition parties on Wednesday opposed the passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

According to government sources, a statement will be tabled along with the bills to explain the proposed approach to delimitation.

The statement is expected to clarify that the exercise will not rely solely on the 2011 Census to determine the allocation of Lok Sabha seats among states.

Instead, the government is considering a formula that would increase the seat share of all states proportionately, by up to 50 per cent.

Sources said the proposed approach is aimed at ensuring that all states see an increase in representation, compared to what they would receive under a delimitation based only on the 2011 Census.

For instance, Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats could increase from the current 39 to 59 under the proposed formula, compared to 49 seats under a 2011 Census-based calculation.