According to recent reports, the central government is considering convening a special session of Parliament soon to secure the passage of the Delimitation Bill. The move follows an earlier setback for the Narendra Modi administration when the constitutional amendment bill—which requires a two-thirds majority—failed to pass in the lower house. This development comes against the backdrop of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which was adjourned sine die on August 13, 2026, and has yet to be formally prorogued. Earlier this year, on April 16, 2026, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal had introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha alongside the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. However, all three legislative measures were defeated on April 17 due to a lack of requisite support. Notably, the implementation of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Act, 2023—popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which guarantees one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies—is directly linked to the delimitation exercise scheduled after the next census. What Has Changed Since April? Political assessments indicate that the opposition INDIA bloc has weakened considerably since the bills were first tabled in April. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), which held 22 seats in the Lok Sabha, has reportedly suffered a major split, with 20 of its MPs announcing their support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Furthermore, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), previously a key constituent of the Congress-led opposition alliance, is no longer part of the grouping, fueling speculation that the party might back the central government on the issue. Why Does the INDIA Bloc Oppose the Delimitation Bill? The opposition alliance’s primary objection stems from concerns that the delimitation process would grant northern states disproportionately greater political representation and influence compared to southern states. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge recently urged Prime Minister Modi to convene an all-party meeting before introducing any fresh proposals regarding delimitation. He cautioned that pushing through a constitutional amendment with far-reaching consequences without adequate political consensus and deliberation would be inappropriate. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Kharge also flagged the unusual delay in formally concluding the Monsoon Session, pointing out that neither the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha had been prorogued even 64 days after the session was adjourned on August 13. He further reminded the Prime Minister of his earlier letter dated April 11, in which he had similarly requested an all-party consultation prior to the initial introduction of the delimitation amendment bill. Post navigation In New Memoir Belonging, Sonia Gandhi Recounts Rift with Maneka Gandhi, Describing Bitter Family Fallout Like a “Reality Show”
