Along with the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Delimitation Bill was also rejected in the Lok Sabha because Congress and other opposition parties opposed it. The rejection of this bill constituted an assault on the very fundamental principles of democracy. The delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies had become absolutely essential. Many constituencies currently comprise more than 3 million voters. Geographically, such constituencies are spread over large areas. Consequently, elected representatives face numerous constraints in maintaining contact within their constituencies and in addressing the issues faced by their voters.

The previous delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies was carried out in 1973, following the 1971 census. As a result of this delimitation, the total number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the country rose to 543. Subsequently, in 1976, the then government led by Indira Gandhi decided to freeze the delimitation process until the year 2000. At that time, Emergency was imposed in the country. The Indira Gandhi government also amended the Constitution to freeze the delimitation. Subsequently, this freeze was extended until 2026. From 1973 to 2026, that is 53 years, the number of Lok Sabha constituencies has remained the same.

However, during this period, the country’s population has grown to more than 1.3 billion. During the 1973 delimitation, a formula was fixed of 1 Lok Sabha MP per 1 million population, according to which 550 MPs were determined for a population of 550 million. Given the country’s current population, the prevailing situation translates to one MP representing every 2.6 million people. The Lok Sabha serves as the supreme democratic platform of the nation. On average, a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha is currently required to represent 2.6 million people.

In 2009, constituencies were reorganized, but the number of constituencies remained the same. DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin vehemently opposed the formula to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies based on population size. The Congress party, too, echoed his sentiments. Stalin argued that if the number of Lok Sabha constituencies were to be increased in accordance with this formula, it would result in a grave injustice to the southern states.

The southern states have successfully kept their populations under control. However, the opposition expressed fears that since the northern states did not effectively curb population growth, the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the North would surge dramatically, leading to adverse consequences for the southern states. Consequently, the Modi government proposed an alternative plan to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in all states by 50 percent.

By rejecting this viable option, Stalin and other opponents challenged the very fundamental principles of delimitation. YSR Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has also extended his support to the delimitation process. Given the population growth over the past 53 years, the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies had become absolutely essential for the country. Stalin opposed the delimitation bill out of a fear that, even if the number of constituencies in Tamil Nadu were to increase by 50 percent, his influence in national politics would diminish. It has been observed on numerous occasions in the past that regional parties prioritize their own interests over the national interest. One cannot overlook the fact that Stalin has openly advocated for an independent “Dravidistan.”

A national party like Congress, which has held power in the country for many years, also got dragged behind a party like DMK with a narrow regional ideology in its opposition to the BJP. The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in 2023. It was explicitly clarified in 2023 that the implementation of women’s reservation would take place only after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies. Rahul Gandhi has made it his firm resolve to oppose the Modi government in every decision and every policy. It is for this very reason that the Congress extended its support to the DMK regarding the Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills.

While supporting the DMK, the Congress leadership failed to realize that they were, in effect, denying the democratic rights of millions of voters.Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi repeatedly stated that while they do not oppose women’s reservation, they do oppose the delimitation bill introduced alongside it. However, while opposing the delimitation bill, not a single opposition party proposed an alternative to it. The sole objective of the opposition was simply to oppose the bill introduced by the Modi government. Rahul Gandhi sought the satisfaction of cornering the Modi government and the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In the process, the limitations of his own leadership became evident once again. When the Women’s Reservation Bill was introduced in 2023, the BJP alone held 303 Members of Parliament, while the National Democratic Alliance commanded a strength of over 350 MPs. That is precisely why the Congress did not oppose this bill at the time. However, after the National Democratic Alliance’s parliamentary strength declined in the 2024 elections, the Congress seized the opportunity to execute its maneuver and effectively strangled the Women’s Reservation Bill in its infancy.

When the Manmohan Singh government was in power, keeping the national interest in mind, the BJP had extended its support to the government on various issues, including other security-related bills. Driven by a stubborn obsession with opposing the Modi government, the Congress has struck a blow and attacked the very foundation of democracy. The discerning women voters of India will not forgive the Congress and the other opposition parties.

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