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Supriya Sule backs delimitation bill if all states get 50% seat increase

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

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Why in news

NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule indicated conditional support for the government's proposed delimitation and women's reservation bill, sparking political buzz. The bill, which failed to pass in the previous session, may be re-introduced. Sule's remarks come amid speculation of NCP(SP) moving closer to the ruling NDA.

Background

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill were introduced in the previous Lok Sabha session but failed to get the required two-thirds majority. The delimitation bill, based on the 2011 census, is a prerequisite for implementing 33% women's reservation in legislatures.

Key facts

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  1. Supriya Sule said NCP(SP) would consider supporting the bill if it ensures a uniform 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for all states.

  2. The bill must clearly define the delimitation formula for every constituency.

  3. The government may revise the bill to include a 50% proportional increase in seats for each state.

  4. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill failed to get two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha in the previous session.

  5. Delimitation based on 2011 census is needed to implement 33% women's reservation.

  6. NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, fueling reunification rumors.

  7. Sule said the party will discuss the bill within the INDIA bloc before deciding.

  8. The government is keen to introduce the bill if it has the numbers.

Prelims pointers

  • Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026
  • Delimitation Bill
  • 33% women's reservation in legislatures
  • 2011 census as basis for delimitation
  • Two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendment
  • Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) - NCP(SP)
  • Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)
  • National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
  • INDIA bloc

Mains angles

  • Discuss the political and federal implications of linking women's reservation with delimitation.
  • Critically examine the need for a uniform seat increase formula across states.
  • Analyze the role of regional parties in constitutional amendments and coalition politics.
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