Overview
The Indian National Congress on 3 April 2026 alleged that the Union government is convening a special session to amend the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 and to push a delimitation bill. The move, according to Congress, is timed to extract political mileage in the upcoming West Bengal and Tamil Nadu polls, thereby breaching the Model Code of Conduct.
Key Developments
- Congress General Secretary (in‑charge Communications) Jairam Ramesh warned that a rushed delimitation could have "dangerous consequences" for smaller states, especially in the South, Northeast and West.
- Unverified reports suggest a proportional increase in Lok Sabha seats, raising Uttar Pradesh’s strength to 120 while Kerala may rise only to 30.
- The Budget session is slated to reconvene on 16 April 2026 for three days (16‑18 April) to consider the bills.
- Opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi plan a senior Congress MP meeting before 16 April, followed by a broader opposition strategy session before 16 April.
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has exchanged letters with Congress demanding an all‑party meeting after 29 April 2026, citing the ongoing MCC.
Important Facts
- The government aims to increase Lok Sabha seats from **543 to 816** to facilitate the implementation of the women’s reservation law.
- The women’s quota law was passed in **September 2023**, with the government initially stating implementation would follow the Census and delimitation.
- Congress argues the government “slept” for **30 months** after the law’s passage, now seeking “double credit” during the election season.
- Election dates: Puducherry, Assam, Kerala – 9 April 2026; West Bengal – 23 & 29 April 2026; Tamil Nadu – 23 April 2026.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this controversy touches upon several GS papers:
- GS 2 – Polity: Constitutional amendment procedures, the role of Parliament, the functioning of the Lok Sabha, and the legal framework of the Model Code of Conduct.
- GS 3 – Economy & Development: Impact of increasing parliamentary seats on fiscal allocations, representation, and regional balance.
- GS 4 – Ethics & Integrity: Ethical considerations of using legislative processes for electoral advantage.
Way Forward
Analysts suggest the following steps for a balanced resolution:
- Convene an all‑party meeting after 29 April 2026 to discuss the timing of the women’s reservation amendment and the delimitation bill, ensuring compliance with the MCC.
- Separate the two issues: first, pass the constitutional amendment for women’s reservation; second, address delimitation after the next Census, respecting the demographic realities of smaller states.
- Establish a bipartisan committee to examine the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats, ensuring equitable representation across regions.
- Maintain transparency in parliamentary proceedings to avoid perceptions of political mileage‑driven legislation.
These measures would uphold democratic norms, protect the spirit of the women’s reservation law, and prevent regional disparities in representation.