New Delhi : Speculation is mounting over the potential introduction of the Delimitation Bill in Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon Session, scheduled from July 20 to August 13. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, speaking on Thursday, asserted that any proposal to significantly increase the number of parliamentary constituencies would require extensive discussions involving all political parties.
Raut highlighted the unified position of the opposition INDIA alliance, emphasising their intent to oppose any unilateral measures by the ruling government. “Any proposal to increase the number of parliamentary seats by up to 50 per cent can only be considered after discussions with all political parties. No individual party in the INDIA alliance, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, or the NCP, will take a unilateral stand. Any decision on the Delimitation Bill will be taken collectively by the alliance partners,” he stated.
In addition to the delimitation issue, Raut criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over recent political defections, dismissing claims by defecting leaders that their actions complied with constitutional norms. He described these defections as “under-the-table manoeuvres” and warned that MPs engaging in such actions risk losing their parliamentary membership.
Raut said, “I completely reject claims that ‘all legal formalities’ have been completed by leaders switching parties. Such defections are carried out through ‘illegal formalities’ and are contrary to the law. MPs leaving their party under such circumstances will ultimately lose their parliamentary membership.”
These remarks echo the stance expressed previously by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who condemned media reports suggesting her party might support the Centre’s Delimitation Bill. In a statement on X, Sule called such reports “inaccurate and speculative” and clarified that the party’s position is determined through thorough internal consultation and in coordination with the INDIA alliance.
She clarified, “Recent reports appearing in sections of the media regarding the stand of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on the issue of delimitation are inaccurate and speculative. I wish to clarify that neither the party nor I have had any official discussion with any media organisation on this subject. As with every issue of constitutional importance, our party’s position is determined only after detailed consultations within the party and with our allies in the INDIA alliance. Therefore, any reports attributing a definitive stand to us are without basis.”
Sule added that it would be premature to comment on any proposal before the government formally presents the revised legislation to Parliament. “It would be inappropriate to comment on any proposal until the Government formally places the revised delimitation legislation before Parliament. Since no such Bill has yet been made available, any speculation regarding its contents or our position would be premature,” she said.
The debate follows a significant legislative setback for the government earlier this year, when the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which aimed to expand parliamentary seats and fast-track a 33 per cent reservation for women, failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha during the April 17 vote. The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the constitutional amendment requirement.
Although political observers anticipate the government may introduce a revised version of the bill during the Monsoon Session, the Centre has not yet officially confirmed its legislative programme.
