• Source:JND
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Delimitation Bill 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s decision to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023), also known as the Women's Reservation Bill, which provides 33% women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies after the delimitation, surprised many as the significant move came amid an intense poll campaign in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Many say the decision is to woo women voters, especially in West Bengal, where the BJP failed to breach the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress' female vote bank. The saffron party gained a large share of women's votes in the Hindi belt, but it struggled to woo half of the population in non-Hindi states. It hopes the bill may do magic in Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

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How Delimitation-Linked To Women's Reservation May Backfire For BJP?

Things are not as easy as the BJP leaders present them. The delimitation is a highly contentious issue, as some states in South and East see it as a conspiracy of the saffron party to change the number game in the parliament. There will be a 50 per cent increase in the strength of Lok Sabha members, and this will translate to 815 seats, of which 272 will be reserved for women.

Quiz

What is the proposed percentage of women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies after the Delimitation?

The opposition alleged that the BJP-ruling states will be the gainers in the delimitation due to the large population in these Hindi-speaking states; vice versa, non-Hindi states will lose. The delimitation will be carried out based on the population. According to media reports, UP may see a rise from 80 Lok Sabha seats to 140, Bihar: From 40 to 73, Rajasthan from 25 to 48, and MP from 29 to 51, while Tamil Nadu's seats will increase from 39 to 51, and West Bengal from 42 to 64.

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The BJP is trying to take credit for women's empowerment, but regional parties, including TMC and DMK, are calling it a "political ploy." Stalin and Mamata both are attempting to link the delimitation row with the Tamil and Bengali pride, which may emerge as a big threat for the saffron party in the poll. The BJP may benefit in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but for now, it seems that it may backfire in the ongoing elections in the two states.

Delimitation Provides DMK Ammo Against AIADMK-BJP Alliance

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin left no stone unturned to set the delimitation heat against the AIADMK-BJP alliance, calling it a conspiracy against the state. The chief minister burnt a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a "black law" and alleged it seeks to make the Tamil people "refugees" in their own land. Stalin hoisted a black flag and burnt a copy of the bill on delimitation circulated by the union government and raised slogans condemning the move, hours before the Parliament was to sit for a special session. Tamil Nadu is set to vote on April 23.

Mamata Attacks BJP Over Delimitation

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday also attacked the BJP, claiming that the alleged linking of bills related to amending the women's quota law and setting up a delimitation commission was a "conspiracy" to delete names from electoral rolls, and implement NRC. Mamata, addressing a poll rally at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district, said attempts are being made to divide India by connecting the women's reservation and delimitation bills. The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and 29.

How Delimitation Is Linked To Women's Reservation Law

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is linked to the delimitation process as the government planned to implement it ahead of the 2029 General Elections after the delimitation drive.

Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Amit Shah moved to introduce three bills in Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission amid protests by the opposition, which termed the proposed legislation as anti-constitutional. 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026', 'The Delimitation Bill, 2026' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2026' were introduced in the House.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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