Parliament session Highlights: Amit Shah says southern states will not face any discrimination in delimitation

 Speaking in the Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, "If these three bills become law, the opposition's voice will be reduced to nothing in this House. If you read this Constitution Amendment Bill along with the Delimitation Bill, seats will be allocated based on population. Those with larger populations will receive more seats, those with smaller populations will receive fewer. Delimitation will not happen every 10 years. It will not be based on the census. Rather, the government will decide whether or not delimitation will happen... The reality will be that the north will rule over the south, the north will spend, and the south will provide. The southern states account for 30 per cent of the country's GDP, and 21 per cent of the country's tax revenue comes from the south... The south is being punished for good governance..."

On the opposition's protest against delimitation, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said, "They are making excuses regarding delimitation. That, too, has been completely refuted. The country is watching what their intentions are, and their perception towards daughters is coming to the fore."

"What compelling need was there to convene a special session of Parliament amid state elections to address such a sensitive matter?" said JMM MP Joba Majhi in Lok Sabha on Women's Reservation Bill.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that claims of discrimination against southern states are incorrect. He said Kerala's seats will increase from 20 to 30, Tamil Nadu's from 39 to 59, Andhra Pradesh's to 38 and Karnataka's from 28 to 42. He added that the total number of seats for southern states will rise to 195.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that misleading claims are being spread about the three proposed bills. He said allegations of discrimination against southern states are incorrect and assured that no state will face any kind of bias in the implementation process.

Priyanka Gandhi said the Congress will not allow anyone's rights to be taken away. She alleged that the BJP is attempting to take away the rights of the OBC community. Taking a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she also remarked that "if Chanakya were alive today, even he would be surprised." 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her party supports women's reservation but stressed that the current debate is not about the principle itself. She remarked that the legislation carries a "smell of politics" ando also raised questions over the government’s approach. She added that while there is broad consensus on 33% reservation, Opposition parties are seeking clarity on the timing, structure and implementation of the bill.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not share the "full picture" while presenting the Women's Reservation Bill. She criticised the government for leaving out key details about the legislation and its history claiming that the complete picture was not conveyed to the House.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi is addressing the Lok Sabha during the ongoing debate on the Women's Reservation Bill. She said the Congress party has consistently supported women's reservation and reaffirmed the party's long-standing commitment to ensuring greater representation for women in Parliament.

On the delimitation bill 2026, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said, "Bill brought by the BJP is anti South, anti Tamil Nadu. We feel that our voices are going to be shrunk, and just because of the population, we feel that it is going to be unfair... You are punishing us. That is not fair. We expect respect that our voices should not be shrunk in the delimitation."

On PM Modi's address in the Parliament on the Women's Reservation Bill, SP MP Dimple Yadav said, "Regarding the narrative being built that the Opposition is against this measure, given that it was passed unanimously in 2023, the question of any opposition simply does not arise. The manner in which it was originally passed stipulated that it would be implemented following a census and subsequent delimitation. All political parties are united in their support for this bill; why, then, is its format being altered repeatedly? You speak of 2029; well, we are ready. Implement the 33% reservation for women across all 543 parliamentary seats right now. The Samajwadi Party is fully prepared for this."

Delimitation must be put on hold for now; it is an issue of national importance and needs more discussion, said Uddhav Thackeray in a statement.

BJD MP Sulata Deo said, "On what basis are they carrying out this delimitation? Odisha holds a 4% share of seats in the Lok Sabha. If delimitation is taking place, Odisha should receive its 4% share of seats. But why are you allocating 5 fewer seats to Odisha?"

On the Women's Reservation Bill, DMK MP T Sumathy said, "Our party has clearly stated its support. Our Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has also made it very clear that we support this Bill and will continue to do so. When it was introduced in 2023, we supported it then as well."

In jibe at DMK for black attire protest, PM Modi says he thanks them for putting 'Kala Tika' on bills to ward off the evil eye.

A meeting is underway in the Prime Minister's chamber within Parliament. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and JP Nadda are present at the meeting.

(Input: Devendra Parashar) 

Speaking in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, PM Modi said, "This will be in favour of the country's democracy, it will be in favor of the country's collective decision-making, and we will all be entitled to the credit. Neither the Treasury Department nor Modi will be its rightful owner, nor will everyone sitting here be its rightful owner. I would like those who smell politics in this to examine their own perspectives over the past 30 years and see if there is any benefit in this. I believe there's no need to give it a political spin..."

PM Modi speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Women’s Reservation Bill, said, "Whoever opposed this bill 20-30 years ago, didn't go beyond politics. However, today, women have a political consciousness and understanding. They are now vocal."

Speaking in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, PM Modi said, "I'd also like to offer advice to those who think only in political terms. Ever since the discussion about women's reservations began in our country, and every election that followed, whoever opposed this right for women, the women of the country have not forgiven them..."

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Akhilesh ji (Yadav) is my friend, so at times he does offer support. It is true that I come from an extremely backward section of society, but my responsibility is to take everyone along. The Constitution has shown me this path, and for me, the Constitution is supreme. It is the strength of our Constitution that a person like me, from a very humble and backward background, has been entrusted with such a great responsibility by the country."

Speaking in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In the 21st century, India is moving forward with a new self-confidence. We all feel India's acceptance in the world today. This is a moment of pride for all of us. I believe that a 'Viksit Bharat' does not only mean railways, roads, infrastructure, or economic or progress figures. We are not people with such a limited vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. We want a 'Viksit Bharat', where policy-making truly embodies the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.' It is the demand of the time that 50% of the country's population becomes part of policy-making... "

Speaking in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I said at the outset that we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important, nation-building process involving half the country's population... We MPs must not let this important opportunity slip away. Together, we Indians are going to give the country a new direction. We are going to make a meaningful effort to infuse our governance system with sensitivity. This will not only shape the nation's politics, but it will also determine the direction and condition of the country..."

Addressing the Lok Sabha on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We Indians are coming together to give a new direction to the nation. We are making a meaningful effort to strengthen our system of governance. I believe the outcome of this churning will shape the nature and character of the country’' politics and determine the nation’s direction. It is extremely important."

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, " Discussion on this important bill began this morning. Many members have raised various issues, and we will provide detailed and accurate information to the House on those matters. That is why I do not wish to go into those specifics. There are some important moments in the life of a country. At such a time, the mindset of the society and the capability of the leadership capture that moment and turn it into an asset for the nation, creating a strong legacy. In the history of India's parliamentary democracy, these are such moments."

Speaks in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The need was that when this idea was first conceived 25-30 years ago, and the need was felt, we should have implemented it, and today we have brought it to a mature stage. According to the need, it is also improved from time to time, and this is the beauty of democracy. Ours is the Mother of Democracy. Our democracy has been a development journey for thousands of years, and all of us in this House have the auspicious opportunity to add a new dimension to this development journey."

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "India is the mother of democracy. In this journey of development, we have been given a sacred opportunity to add a new dimension. We are fortunate that we have got the chance to include half of the country’s population in the decision-making process of nation-building."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the Lok Sabha and will begin his address shortly on the women's reservation and delimitation bill. He is expected to counter the opposition's claims during the ongoing discussion on the bills.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the BJP-led Centre is under the illusion that opposition MPs from Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala won't visit Parliament during voting on the delimitation bill due to elections in their states.

Speaking during the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, “Samajwadi Party is in favour of women’s reservation. Samajwadi Party has a history of always working for women empowerment. Our leader, whose ideology we follow, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, always talked about gender justice and social justice.”

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during debate over delimitation and women's reservation, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said the delimitation is not a disadvantage for southern states and will assure that they get more seats. He further stated that delimitation is a constitutional mandate under Articles 81 and 82.

Assuring the nation amid opposition's charge that delimitation would lead to a 'north-south' divide, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Thursday that seats of all states will be increased by 50 per cent, adding that Lok Sabha's tally would rise to 815 and women's quota in this would be 272 seats. Click here to read more.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said on Thursday that women's reservation is crucial because despite promising equal rights for all these years, women have been kept away from politics. However, she pointed out that even after the reservation bill was passed in 2023, there are only 13 per cent women representatives in the Lok Sabha.

"When we were discussing this in 2023, our questions were why it can't be applicable immediately on the current seats and why it's being linked to the census and delimitation? The fight is about this," she told news agency ANI.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha over a debate on delimitation and women's reservation, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said on Thursday that it was the Modi government solved the "70-year problem of Article 370", while welcoming the Centre's move. 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the women’s quota bill was a revolutionary move and it would provide equal opportunities for women. 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the three bills, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “The women’s reservation bill was passed in 2023, providing for implementing its provisions based on census after 2026 and delimitation.

There will be an equal, 50 per cent increase in the strength of Lok Sabha members, and this will translate to 815 seats, of which 272 will be reserved for women, which comes to one-third of the strength of the House. There will be no loss to anyone (states), and they will retain their strength.”

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi rebuked the government, alleging that a bid was underway for backdoor delimitation. He said the Congress Party was in favour of the women quota but it should be implemented with the current seat structure of the Parliament.

Seven Congress MPs will speak in the Lok Sabha today on the debate on three bills presented by the Centre, including the Women's Reservation Bill. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will speak tomorrow before the Lower House votes on these bills at 4 pm.

The Congress speakers’ list includes Gaurav Gogoi, Priyanka Gandhi, K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Praniti Shinde, K Suresh and Mohammed Javed.

Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the proposed Delimitation Bill aims to strengthen political representation for women, calling it a step toward greater electoral fairness. He emphasised that the bill will not adversely affect any state, addressing concerns over regional imbalances.

As many as seven Congress leaders will speak today on delimitation and women’s quota in Lok Sabha. These leaders include, Gaurav Gogoi, Priyanka Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Praniti Shinde, K Suresh, Mohammed Javed.

Rahul Gandhi will speak on this issue on Friday. 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Women’s Reservation Bill can only be fully implemented after the Delimitation and Union Territories Amendment Bills are enacted, calling them essential steps to operationalize the quota. He criticised the opposition for resisting the measures, alleging they are opposing the bills as part of a broader strategy to block all government initiatives.

The Lok Sabha will vote on three key bills at 4 pm tomorrow. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the House will hold a 12-hour discussion on the key bills, which may be extended further, even up to 18 hours, if members agree.

Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal is speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Women's Reservation Bill after it was tabled in the Uppper House following voting.

A total of 251 MPs voted in favour of the government in the division, clearing the way for a discussion on the bills in the House. 86 NDA MPs were absent during the vote, as proceedings now move to the debate stage.

The Lok Sabha voted 251 in favour and 185 in against presenting the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill - for implementing the women's 33 per cent quota on Thursday. A total of 333 votes were polled in the Upper House on the bill's tabling so far.

On the women’s reservation bill and the proposed Delimitation Bill, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi said, “My party has made its position clear. I have nothing to add.”

Asaduddin Owaisi opposed the bill, reciting a poem by Sahir Ludhianvi in protest. He said he objected to its introduction, calling it a violation of federalism. Owaisi argued the move was not about women’s reservation, but would erode Muslim representation, give greater power to more populous states, and undermine parliamentary democracy.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the census exercise has already begun and will include caste enumeration at the stage of individual data collection, assuring the House that the government has decided to conduct a caste census.

Responding to the Opposition’s remarks, he said any demand for reservation on religious grounds is unconstitutional, reiterating that the Constitution does not allow quotas based on religion while defending the government’s position during the debate.

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the party strongly opposes the three bills on constitutional grounds, alleging they seek to “distort” the Constitution, particularly by separating delimitation from the census.

Speaking on behalf of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said the party would not support the women’s reservation bill unless it includes provisions for OBC and Muslim women, and urged the government to withdraw the bills and implement the 2023 law instead.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said KC Venugopal cannot speak on the merits of bills, and he can raise only technical objections to the introduction of the bills. 

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday tabled women’s quota amendment, delimitation bills in Lok Sabha 

BJP chief Nitin Nabin took oath as Rajya Sabha MP on first days of Parliament's special session. 

Akhilesh Yadav said the Samajwadi Party (SP) was not against women’s quota but the move was being launched in haste. 

"We are not against women’s reservation. However, we oppose the haste and the manner in which it is being introduced. Once a census is conducted, the country will demand a caste census. And once a caste census is carried out, the country will demand reservations. This is what they are trying to avoid. These people are against the poor, Dalits, Muslims, backward classes, and women. If we look at the data in the country, there is a greater need for protection along with reservation. This is not about simplification, it is about appeasement. If we consider the population of backward classes, it is more than 70 per cent. Even if we assume it to be 66 per cent, then half of that 33 per cent would be women. So, are they giving reservations to this 33 per cent, or are they taking away the rightful share of 33 per cent of women?” he said. 

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said he was confident that all parties would support bills on women’s reservation and delimitation. He also warned against the rumours spread over delimitation exercise.  

According to the draft Constitution Amendment Bill, the strength of the Lok Sabha will be increased from the current 543 to around 850. Here's the proposed hike in number of seats across states. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Wednesday that an important meeting of opposition parties was held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. He stated that his party has no objection to women’s reservation, but strongly opposes what it sees as the BJP using the bill for political gain.
He questioned the proposal to increase the number of seats in Parliament and state assemblies, saying, “You are increasing Lok Sabha seats to around 800 and Maharashtra Assembly seats to 400. What is the need for this?”

Raut added that if the government truly wants to implement 33% reservation for women, it should be based on the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats.

SP MP Babu Singh Kushwaha said the women's reservation law was being implemented by the government in hurry and that it should have been pushed after the census.

The government is set to introduce three bills: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, to be presented by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeks to enable the redrawing of constituency boundaries and the redistribution of parliamentary seats based on the 2011 Census data instead of the 1971 Census.

The Delimitation Bill, 2026—also to be introduced by Meghwal—proposes a fresh delimitation exercise that would increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 members to approximately 850.

Meanwhile, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to be tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to update and align existing legal and administrative frameworks with the proposed structural and electoral changes.

"Telangana currently has 3.13% in the parliament, and after the delimitation, we are hoping that that should be the baseline of the percentage of Telangana representation in parliament... The 50% blanket increase that the central government is proposing right now looks fine, but when you compare it to the increase in other states versus Telangana, then the gap looks more significant. 3.13% should be the baseline for our state. If it goes down, people of Telangana are certainly going to hit the streets. It is unfortunate that the Union government wants to link the women's bill with the delimitation. Rather, they should link the women's bill with the passing of the OBC reservation bill," Telangana Jagruthi President Kalvakuntla Kavitha said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the Women Reservation Law ahead of a key Parliament session. He said the move was a historic step aimed at empowering women. 

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday backed 33 per cent reservation for women but strongly opposed the proposed delimitation bill, warning that its impact on India's federal structure would be "deleterious, detrimental and destructive for our polity." 

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Member of Parliament Ram Gopal Yadav on Thursday criticised the proposed Delimitation Bill, linking it to the recently passed Women’s Reservation Bill.

"The Women's Reservation Bill has already been passed unanimously, and no one opposed it. Now they are bringing it (the Delimitation Bill); this is their bad intention, and we cannot support it," he said. 

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has submitted a notice of motion in the Lok Sabha expressing opposition to the introduction of three proposed government bills. These include the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin staged a protest on Thursday morning by setting fire to a copy of the proposed delimitation bill, which is linked to redrawing constituencies on the basis of the 2011 population census.

He also waved a black flag, formally launching a statewide agitation against the proposed delimitation exercise.