Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (August 27) urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call an all-party meeting to discuss the government's proposed delimitation exercise.&nbsp;Kharge also asked the government to give political parties and state governments enough time to examine the proposals before introducing them in Parliament.&nbsp;In a letter to Modi, Kharge repeated his earlier request from July 16, 2026. He requested this after reports suggested that a special session of Parliament could be held to discuss delimitation.&nbsp;"I had last written to you on July 16, 2026, requesting you to convene an All-Party meeting to discuss the Government's proposals for delimitation," Kharge said.&nbsp;"I had also requested you to give all political parties adequate time to study such proposals in detail before they are introduced in any special session of Parliament that you may be contemplating," he added.&nbsp;Kharge said the Congress had a clear position on the delimitation issue and wanted the existing strength of the Lok Sabha to remain unchanged.&nbsp;"The Indian National Congress is very clear. Maintain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 for another 25 years," he said.&nbsp;He also demanded that the current state-wise distribution of Lok Sabha seats remain unchanged for the same period and introducing 33 per cent women reservation on the exisiting seats.&nbsp;"Maintain the existing state-wise strength in the Lok Sabha for another 25 years," Kharge said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/4-minutes-priceless-treasure-gone-thieves-pull-off-superfast-bronze-age-gold-heist-in-spain-1787836837015">4 minutes, priceless treasure gone: Thieves pull off superfast Bronze Age gold heist in Spain</a><h2>Kharge seeks wider consultation</h2>Kharge referred to recent remarks by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in a television interview, which indicated that the government could consider calling a special session of Parliament."Before you go ahead as indicated by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, I wish to reiterate my earlier request to you to convene an All-Party meeting to discuss whatever delimitation proposals you have in mind."&nbsp;"Give all political parties and state governments adequate time to study such proposals," he further said.&nbsp;Kharge described delimitation as an issue of "enormous significance for the country". He urged the government not to move ahead with the proposals without adequate consultation.&nbsp;"Please do not again try and bulldoze as you attempted on April 16 and 17, 2026," he said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged PM Modi to convene an all party meeting on delimitation and demanded that the Lok Sabha's 543 seats and their state-wise allocation remain unchanged for 25 years.

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (August 27) urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call an all-party meeting to discuss the government's proposed delimitation exercise. Kharge also asked the government to give political parties and state governments enough time to examine the proposals before introducing them in Parliament. In a letter to Modi, Kharge repeated his earlier request from July 16, 2026. He requested this after reports suggested that a special session of Parliament could be held to discuss delimitation. "I had last written to you on July 16, 2026, requesting you to convene an All-Party meeting to discuss the Government's proposals for delimitation," Kharge said. "I had also requested you to give all political parties adequate time to study such proposals in detail before they are introduced in any special session of Parliament that you may be contemplating," he added. Kharge said the Congress had a clear position on the delimitation issue and wanted the existing strength of the Lok Sabha to remain unchanged. "The Indian National Congress is very clear. Maintain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 for another 25 years," he said. He also demanded that the current state-wise distribution of Lok Sabha seats remain unchanged for the same period and introducing 33 per cent women reservation on the exisiting seats. "Maintain the existing state-wise strength in the Lok Sabha for another 25 years," Kharge said. Also Read: 4 minutes, priceless treasure gone: Thieves pull off superfast Bronze Age gold heist in Spain Kharge seeks wider consultation Kharge referred to recent remarks by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in a television interview, which indicated that the government could consider calling a special session of Parliament. "Before you go ahead as indicated by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, I wish to reiterate my earlier request to you to convene an All-Party meeting to discuss whatever delimitation proposals you have in mind." "Give all political parties and state governments adequate time to study such proposals," he further said. Kharge described delimitation as an issue of "enormous significance for the country". He urged the government not to move ahead with the proposals without adequate consultation. "Please do not again try and bulldoze as you attempted on April 16 and 17, 2026," he said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged PM Modi to convene an all-party meeting on delimitation and demanded that the Lok Sabha's 543 seats and their state-wise allocation remain unchanged for 25 years.

Delimitation row: Congress calls for Lok Sabha strength to be frozen at 543 for 25 years

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.&nbsp;The approval raises the Shiv Sena's strength in the Lok Sabha to 13 MPs, while reducing the strength of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction to three members.&nbsp;The Speaker also approved separate seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha for 20 MPs who broke away from the Trinamool Congress and announced their merger with the regional Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). However, the Speaker has not yet cleared the merger of the rebel TMC MPs.Last month, rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar led a group of 20 MPs that announced a merger with the NCPI. Shiv Sena (UBT) also faced a split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.&nbsp;Earlier, seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance currently has 298 members in the Lok Sabha, including the Speaker. If the Speaker approves the merger of the rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI, the NDA's strength will rise to 318.&nbsp;The ruling alliance would then move closer to the two-thirds majority mark of 360 in the 540-member House, where three seats are currently vacant.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-suspends-commitments-under-ceasefire-mou-over-us-violations-as-conflict-escalates-1784383044459">Iran suspends commitments under ceasefire MoU over 'US violations' as conflict escalates</a>&nbsp;The recent mergers have triggered speculation that the Centre may bring back the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to as many as 850 seats and implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures.&nbsp;According to sources, the Centre is likely to reintroduce the Bill while trying to address concerns and assure a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across states.With the NDA moving closer to a stronger majority and the DMK not being part of the INDIA bloc, the Centre is looking to secure the passage of the Bill, which was defeated after receiving 298 votes in April.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while keeping the merger of 20 rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI pending.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The approval raises the Shiv Sena's strength in the Lok Sabha to 13 MPs, while reducing the strength of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction to three members. The Speaker also approved separate seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha for 20 MPs who broke away from the Trinamool Congress and announced their merger with the regional Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). However, the Speaker has not yet cleared the merger of the rebel TMC MPs. Last month, rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar led a group of 20 MPs that announced a merger with the NCPI. Shiv Sena (UBT) also faced a split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Earlier, seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance currently has 298 members in the Lok Sabha, including the Speaker. If the Speaker approves the merger of the rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI, the NDA's strength will rise to 318. The ruling alliance would then move closer to the two-thirds majority mark of 360 in the 540-member House, where three seats are currently vacant. Also Read: Iran suspends commitments under ceasefire MoU over 'US violations' as conflict escalates The recent mergers have triggered speculation that the Centre may bring back the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to as many as 850 seats and implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures. According to sources, the Centre is likely to reintroduce the Bill while trying to address concerns and assure a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across states. With the NDA moving closer to a stronger majority and the DMK not being part of the INDIA bloc, the Centre is looking to secure the passage of the Bill, which was defeated after receiving 298 votes in April.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while keeping the merger of 20 rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI pending.

Lok Sabha Speaker recognises six UBT rebel MPs as Shiv Sena, leaving Uddhav Thackeray with three

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday (April 18) targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent address to the nation, alleging misuse of official machinery during the Model Code of Conduct.&nbsp;“A desperate and frustrated PM with nothing meaningful to show for the last 12 years turned an official address to the nation into a political speech full of mudslinging and outright lies. The Model Code of Conduct is already in place, and it was clear how PM Modi misused official machinery to attack his opponents. This is a travesty of democracy and the Constitution of India,” Kharge said.&nbsp;Kharge’s remarks came after the defeat of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, which stalled the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats to 850 and delayed the rollout of 33 per cent women’s reservation. Following the setback, Modi launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of celebrating the failure of a key reform.&nbsp;Addressing the nation, Modi said parties such as Congress, DMK, TMC and the Samajwadi Party were “happy and celebrating” when the bill failed in Parliament and had “insulted the women of India”. He warned that women would not forgive them for this. “Dynastic parties were laughing after taking away women's rights,” he said.&nbsp;The Prime Minister alleged that opposition parties prioritised politics over public interest. “Due to the opposition parties' narrow and self-serving politics, the mothers and sisters of our nation had to bear the consequences,” he said, while also apologising to the nation’s “mothers and daughters” over the bill’s defeat.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-apologises-to-women-over-quota-bill-setback-slams-congress-as-anti-reform-party-1776526321091">PM Modi apologises to women over quota bill setback, slams Congress as ‘anti-reform party’</a>&nbsp;“Yesterday, crores of women had their eyes on Parliament. The country's women's power was witnessing everything. It deeply pained me to see that when the proposal was defeated, dynastic parties like Congress, DMK, TMC and SP were clapping in joy,” he said.Emphasising the emotional impact, Modi added, “A woman can forget everything, but she never forgets her insult. The behaviour of Congress and its allies in Parliament will remain a lasting pain in every woman's heart.”&nbsp;The bill failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. While the NDA secured 298 votes in favour, the INDIA bloc opposed it with 230 votes, arguing that linking women’s reservation to delimitation could affect the political balance of southern and northeastern states. Despite a simple majority among the 528 members present, the bill fell 54 votes short of the required “special majority”.

Kharge’s remarks came after the defeat of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, which stalled the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats to 850 and delayed the rollout of 33 per cent women’s reservation.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday (April 18) targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent address to the nation, alleging misuse of official machinery during the Model Code of Conduct. “A desperate and frustrated PM with nothing meaningful to show for the last 12 years turned an official address to the nation into a political speech full of mudslinging and outright lies. The Model Code of Conduct is already in place, and it was clear how PM Modi misused official machinery to attack his opponents. This is a travesty of democracy and the Constitution of India,” Kharge said. Kharge’s remarks came after the defeat of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, which stalled the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats to 850 and delayed the rollout of 33 per cent women’s reservation. Following the setback, Modi launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of celebrating the failure of a key reform. Addressing the nation, Modi said parties such as Congress, DMK, TMC and the Samajwadi Party were “happy and celebrating” when the bill failed in Parliament and had “insulted the women of India”. He warned that women would not forgive them for this. “Dynastic parties were laughing after taking away women's rights,” he said. The Prime Minister alleged that opposition parties prioritised politics over public interest. “Due to the opposition parties' narrow and self-serving politics, the mothers and sisters of our nation had to bear the consequences,” he said, while also apologising to the nation’s “mothers and daughters” over the bill’s defeat. Also Read: PM Modi apologises to women over quota bill setback, slams Congress as ‘anti-reform party’ “Yesterday, crores of women had their eyes on Parliament. The country's women's power was witnessing everything. It deeply pained me to see that when the proposal was defeated, dynastic parties like Congress, DMK, TMC and SP were clapping in joy,” he said. Emphasising the emotional impact, Modi added, “A woman can forget everything, but she never forgets her insult. The behaviour of Congress and its allies in Parliament will remain a lasting pain in every woman's heart.” The bill failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. While the NDA secured 298 votes in favour, the INDIA bloc opposed it with 230 votes, arguing that linking women’s reservation to delimitation could affect the political balance of southern and northeastern states. Despite a simple majority among the 528 members present, the bill fell 54 votes short of the required “special majority”.

Kharge’s remarks came after the defeat of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, which stalled the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats to 850 and delayed the rollout of 33 per cent women’s reservation.

‘Desperate and frustrated PM’: Kharge targets PM Modi over women’s bill defeat speech

The Union government has proposed a significant restructuring of the Lok Sabha, suggesting an increase in the strength of the House from 543 to 850 members. The move is part of The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which is expected to be taken up during a special parliamentary session scheduled for April 16–17. According to sources quoted by ANI, 815 seats are proposed for states and 35 for Union Territories, marking one of the most extensive changes to parliamentary representation in decades.&nbsp;The Bill also seeks to amend Article 82, which governs delimitation after each Census. The proposed change would remove the mandatory requirement that delimitation must follow the first Census after 2026, effectively allowing constituency readjustment based on pre-2026–27 data. The government has linked the exercise to the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, set for rollout from the 2029 elections under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-protest-wage-hike-rollout-political-blame-game-digital-networks-under-investigation-all-we-know-so-far-1776166153956">Noida protest: Wage hike rollout, political blame game &amp; digital networks under investigation — ALL WE KNOW SO FAR</a>&nbsp;<h2>Women’s reservation and political consensus push</h2> Addressing a public rally in Dehradun , Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the long-awaited implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which ensures 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, should be carried out before 2029, calling it the "sentiment of the nation" and the ‘desire of Nari Shakti.’ PM Modi also urged political parties to support the proposed constitutional changes, stressing early implementation of women’s reservation. He also called for a consensus, stating, “Let all political parties come together and advance this work concerning the rights of the country’s sisters and daughters.”&nbsp;Under the existing constitutional framework, delimitation after the next Census was already mandated under the 106th Amendment Act, 2023, which links women’s reservation to constituency readjustment. The new proposal, however, seeks to alter the timing and basis of delimitation, potentially accelerating the process ahead of the next general elections.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/delhi-dehradun-expressway-inaugurated-213-km-corridor-rs-12-000-crore-cost-travel-time-reduced-to-2-5-hours-1776169910072">Delhi–Dehradun expressway inaugurated: 213 km corridor, Rs.12,000 crore cost, travel time reduced to 2.5 hours</a>&nbsp;<h2>Opposition concerns over federal balance and representation</h2> The proposal has triggered political concern, particularly from opposition-ruled states, which argue that changes in delimitation could affect the balance of representation between northern and southern states. Critics have alleged that the move may reduce parliamentary representation for states with lower population growth.&nbsp;Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has warned against what he described as attempts to ‘bulldoze’ constitutional amendments without adequate consultation. He said Tamil Nadu would launch protests if southern states’ interests are harmed, underscoring growing federal tensions around the proposed restructuring of India’s parliamentary map.

The Bill also seeks to amend Article 82, which governs delimitation after each Census. The proposed change would remove the mandatory requirement that delimitation must follow the first Census after 2026, effectively allowing constituency readjustment based on pre-2026–27 data.

The Union government has proposed a significant restructuring of the Lok Sabha, suggesting an increase in the strength of the House from 543 to 850 members. The move is part of The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which is expected to be taken up during a special parliamentary session scheduled for April 16–17. According to sources quoted by ANI, 815 seats are proposed for states and 35 for Union Territories, marking one of the most extensive changes to parliamentary representation in decades. The Bill also seeks to amend Article 82, which governs delimitation after each Census. The proposed change would remove the mandatory requirement that delimitation must follow the first Census after 2026, effectively allowing constituency readjustment based on pre-2026–27 data. The government has linked the exercise to the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, set for rollout from the 2029 elections under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. ALSO READ: Noida protest: Wage hike rollout, political blame game & digital networks under investigation — ALL WE KNOW SO FAR Women’s reservation and political consensus push Addressing a public rally in Dehradun , Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the long-awaited implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which ensures 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, should be carried out before 2029, calling it the "sentiment of the nation" and the ‘desire of Nari Shakti.’ PM Modi also urged political parties to support the proposed constitutional changes, stressing early implementation of women’s reservation. He also called for a consensus, stating, “Let all political parties come together and advance this work concerning the rights of the country’s sisters and daughters.” Under the existing constitutional framework, delimitation after the next Census was already mandated under the 106th Amendment Act, 2023, which links women’s reservation to constituency readjustment. The new proposal, however, seeks to alter the timing and basis of delimitation, potentially accelerating the process ahead of the next general elections. ALSO READ: Delhi–Dehradun expressway inaugurated: 213 km corridor, Rs.12,000 crore cost, travel time reduced to 2.5 hours Opposition concerns over federal balance and representation The proposal has triggered political concern, particularly from opposition-ruled states, which argue that changes in delimitation could affect the balance of representation between northern and southern states. Critics have alleged that the move may reduce parliamentary representation for states with lower population growth. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has warned against what he described as attempts to ‘bulldoze’ constitutional amendments without adequate consultation. He said Tamil Nadu would launch protests if southern states’ interests are harmed, underscoring growing federal tensions around the proposed restructuring of India’s parliamentary map.

The Bill also seeks to amend Article 82, which governs delimitation after each Census. The proposed change would remove the mandatory requirement that delimitation must follow the first Census after 2026, effectively allowing constituency readjustment based on pre-2026–27 data.

Lok Sabha seats to expand to 850 from 543, govt proposes constitutional amendment

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Delimitation row: Congress calls for Lok Sabha strength to be frozen at 543 for 25 years

Om Birla recognises six UBT rebel as Shiv Sena, leaving Uddhav with three MPs

‘Desperate and frustrated PM’: Kharge slams Modi over women’s bill defeat speech

Delimitation push: Centre proposes expansion of Lok Sabha to 850 seats