DMK sets three conditions for backing Centre’s delimitation Bill
New Delhi: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has indicated that it may consider supporting the Centre’s proposed constitutional amendment for a fresh delimitation exercise, but only if the government accepts three major changes to the legislation.
According to party sources, the DMK wants the Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in April, to be revised before it decides whether to extend its support. The party has stressed that no final decision has been taken and that it will evaluate the legislation only after examining its final content.
Three major conditions
The first demand is to extend the constitutional freeze on Lok Sabha seats, currently based on the 1971 Census, by another 25 years. The existing freeze is expected to end after the completion of the next Census, likely in 2027.
Secondly, the DMK wants the Constitution to be amended to guarantee a 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for every state. Party leaders say this reflects an assurance that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had verbally given when the delimitation package was presented earlier this year.
The third demand is the inclusion of a schedule clearly specifying the number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to every state in the proposed legislation.
A senior DMK leader said the Centre has not yet contacted the party “formally or informally” regarding the proposal.
Rijiju talks to Rahul Gandhi
The developments come as the Union government intensifies efforts to engage Opposition parties ahead of another attempt to introduce the constitutional amendment.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that he recently held discussions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking about the talks, Rijiju said, “I had a productive conversation with Rahul Gandhi. I have made a request on a few specific issues and also discussed other matters. We expect continuous communication and coordinated action with the Congress and other Opposition parties.”
Rijiju had also met Gandhi in Parliament earlier this week. However, Congress leaders are understood to have reiterated their opposition to any constitutional amendment related to delimitation.
Numbers remain crucial
The BJP-led government currently lacks the two-thirds majority required to pass a constitutional amendment. Although its parliamentary strength has improved since the earlier version of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed in April, it still requires additional support in the Lok Sabha.
The government has since gained the backing of 20 former Trinamool Congress MPs, now part of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), and six Shiv Sena MPs aligned with the Eknath Shinde faction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to host NCPI and Shiv Sena MPs for a breakfast meeting, signalling continued efforts to consolidate support.
Meanwhile, Parliament continued to witness disruptions as Opposition parties protested against police action on student demonstrators in Jantar Mantar protest. Opposition MPs demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah address the House over the issue.
Despite the protests, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla began proceedings by observing the anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, with members paying tribute to the victims before the House descended into sloganeering.