Concerns Raised Over Proposed Increase in Lok Sabha Seats by Karnataka Deputy CM
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has raised significant concerns regarding the central government's proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850, warning that it could diminish the representation of southern states. He criticized the potential political restructuring as a move that would weaken the voice of the south while benefiting states with higher population growth. Additionally, he emphasized the Congress party's support for women's reservation but opposed linking it to the delimitation process. Shivakumar called for unity among southern states to protect federalism and ensure fair representation, as the government considers implementing these changes ahead of the 2029 elections.
| Apr 15, 2026, 17:25 IST
Karnataka Deputy CM Voices Concerns
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed his apprehensions on Wednesday regarding the central government's alleged proposal to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 and to conduct a delimitation based on the census before 2026. He claimed that this move would systematically reduce the representation of southern states. In a post on X, he argued that such a political restructuring could weaken the voice of the south in Parliament, while disproportionately benefiting states with higher population growth. He criticized this as a punishment for progress and good governance, suggesting that southern states would be politically marginalized.
Support for Women's Reservation
Shivakumar clarified that the Congress party supports women's reservation in the legislature, crediting former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for this initiative. However, he opposed linking the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act to delimitation or seat expansion, labeling it as an extremely unfair political agenda. He raised concerns about the timing and transparency of the proposed changes, stating that such a significant restructuring of India's democratic framework should not be rushed or implemented without extensive consultation.
Call for Unity Among Southern States
He emphasized that the central government should not use women's empowerment as a cover to push this agenda forward. Any attempt to proceed in this manner would be deemed unacceptable, he added. Shivakumar also mentioned that southern states would remain united to protect the spirit of federalism and ensure fairness in representation. The Nari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023, provides for 33 percent reservation for women in assemblies and is linked to the delimitation process.
Government's Proposal for Lok Sabha Seats
According to reports, the central government is considering implementing this reservation through constitutional amendments and changes to the existing framework ahead of the 2029 general elections. Government sources indicate that the proposal includes increasing the current 543 Lok Sabha seats to 850, with 815 allocated to states and 35 to Union territories.