The proposed Delimitation Bill has once again become a key political issue ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session, scheduled from July 20 to August 13. With changing political equations, speculation has grown that the government could reintroduce the constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats and implementing a fresh delimitation exercise.

Although there has been no official confirmation from the government, discussions around the bill have intensified following recent developments in Parliament.

NDA Inches Closer to Required Numbers

A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. In the 540-member Lok Sabha, at least 360 MPs must support the bill.

The NDA currently has the backing of 298 MPs. If reports of support from 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs and six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs materialise, the alliance's strength would rise to 324. Further speculation suggests that 22 DMK MPs and eight NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MPs could extend support, taking the NDA's tally to 354, leaving it just six votes short of the required majority.

In such a scenario, smaller parties and independent lawmakers could play a decisive role.

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Supriya Sule Signals Conditional Support

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule said her party has not taken an official position on the proposed legislation and will wait until the final draft is presented in Parliament.

She noted that if the bill includes a proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats by 50% across all states, her party would consider supporting it. According to Sule, the proposal was discussed during an all-party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

She also expressed concerns that delimitation based solely on population could disadvantage southern states and said any decision would be taken in consultation with the INDIA alliance.

Opposition Strategy Under Watch

Sule rejected speculation about her party joining the NDA and reiterated that major political decisions would be made in coordination with opposition partners.

Political observers are closely watching whether parties such as the DMK and NCP (SP) will support the government's proposal or maintain a united opposition front if the bill is tabled during the Monsoon Session.

Monsoon Session Could Be Crucial

If the Delimitation Bill is introduced during the upcoming session, it is expected to become one of Parliament's most significant legislative debates. The government's ability to secure the required constitutional majority will depend on support from regional parties and independent MPs, making the outcome highly uncertain.