Delimitation, Women’s Reservation Back in Focus Amid Speculation Over Special Parliament Session

The issues of delimitation of constituencies and women’s reservation have once again come into focus. There is growing speculation that the government’s decision not to formally prorogue Parliament after the recently concluded Monsoon Session could be part of a larger strategy. Recent remarks by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju have further fuelled these speculations.

Meanwhile, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, urging the government to share its plans on delimitation with the Opposition and not increase the number of Lok Sabha seats for another 25 years.

Amid a series of defections involving the Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Aam Aadmi Party, there had been speculation that the government might attempt to reintroduce a delimitation bill during the Monsoon Session. However, reports suggested that the move was put on hold following opposition from the “Kakrooch Janata Party” movement. Despite this, sources familiar with the matter said the Centre had not halted preparations for the delimitation bill and was working to secure the numbers needed for a full majority.

Rijiju’s recent remarks and Kharge’s letter to Prime Minister Modi have now added further weight to speculation about the possibility of a special session of Parliament.