Congress Accuses BJP of Seeking Two‑Thirds Lok Sabha Majority to End Reservation via Delimitation

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on June 24, 2026 accused the BJP of seeking a two‑thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to amend the Constitution and end reservation . He linked this objective to the pending delimitation bill and the proposed Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam . Key Developments The Congress claims the BJP wants to use women’s reservation as a cover to push delimitation and later repeal all reservation. Ramesh urges implementation of the women’s reservation law on the existing 543‑seat strength for the 2029 general election. He alleges that Amit Shah is engineering splits in the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) to reach the required vote count. The Constitution amendment bill on women’s reservation and seat increase was defeated on 17 April 2026, garnering only 298 votes in favour against the 352 needed for a two‑thirds majority. Important Facts Current Lok Sabha strength: 543 elected seats. To amend the Constitution, at least 352 votes (two‑thirds of 528 members who voted) are required under Article 368. The defeated bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, out of 528 votes cast. Ramesh claims the government’s immediate target is delimitation, while the “real” target is removal of reservation for SC, ST and OBC categories. UPSC Relevance The episode illustrates the interplay of reservation politics, constitutional amendment procedures, and electoral engineering. Candidates should study Article 368, the role of the Lok Sabha in passing constitutional changes, and the political strategy of using delimitation to alter representation. Understanding the positions of major parties (BJP, Congress) and key leaders ( Amit Shah ) helps answer GS2 questions on party politics and governance. Way Forward Congress demands that any women’s reservation law be applied on the existing 543‑seat map for the 2029 elections. Opposition parties may unite against the delimitation bill unless it addresses concerns over seat increase and representation of marginalized groups. Future polls will test whether the BJP can secure the required two‑thirds majority to pursue constitutional amendment.