BJP's Delimitation Move Sparks Opposition Fears

The BJP's latest political move on the issue of delimitation has created ripples in the opposition camp. The Congress fears that the government is trying to break into the opposition camp and strategise to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill on Delimitation and Women's Reservation. In fact, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reignited speculation that a brief session of Parliament may be needed to discuss the Delimitation Bill. Questions are now being raised as to whether the BJP's move will alienate the Congress and weaken the united opposition front against the SIR. Let's elaborate. The government tried to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha in April this year, but failed. In April, the Constitution Amendment Bill providing for women's reservation and 850 Lok Sabha seats was stuck due to a two-thirds majority. The bill proposed by the government aims to implement 33% reservation for women in legislative assemblies from 2029 and increase the number of votes in the Lok Sabha. The number of MPs voting in favour of the bill was less than 528.