Kharge urges all-party meet on delimitation bill; Congress questions majority
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has written to PM Modi requesting an all-party meeting to discuss the revised Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on delimitation. This comes amid reports that the government plans to reintroduce the bill in the Monsoon session. The opposition, led by Congress, claims the government lacks the required two-thirds majority to pass a constitutional amendment.
Background
The delimitation bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026, after the opposition united against it. The bill was ostensibly for women's reservation but was seen by the opposition as a move to redraw Lok Sabha seats based on population, benefiting the BJP and disadvantaging southern states. The government is now reportedly preparing a revised version.
Key facts
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to PM Modi on July 17, 2026, urging an all-party meeting on the revised Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
Kharge had earlier requested the parliamentary affairs minister for an all-party meeting during the Budget session, but it was not heeded.
The delimitation bill fell in Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026, after opposition united against it.
Congress claims the government is far from achieving the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment, despite splitting TMC and Shiv Sena.
AICC spokesman Jairam Ramesh said Congress is in touch with all parties that voted against the bill in April, including DMK and SP.
Ramesh accused the home minister of trying to break parties to achieve a 'tainted majority'.
The opposition views the bill as a move to delimit Lok Sabha seats based on population, which would hurt southern states.
DMK and SP are fundamentally opposed to the BJP's ideology and the way delimitation was done in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
Prelims pointers
- Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill
- Delimitation
- Two-thirds majority for constitutional amendment
- Lok Sabha
- Monsoon session of Parliament
- All-party meeting
- Women's reservation
- Assam delimitation
- Jammu & Kashmir delimitation
Mains angles
- Discuss the constitutional and political implications of the delimitation bill on federalism and representation of southern states.
- Critically examine the role of all-party meetings in building consensus for constitutional amendments.
- Analyze the government's strategy to pass the delimitation bill in the context of its current parliamentary strength and opposition unity.