Discussion on Women's Reservation Bill and Delimitation Amendments in Parliament
As Parliament engages in discussions on the Women's Reservation Bill and amendments to the delimitation legislation, significant meetings among BJP leaders and Congress strategists are taking place. The government aims to implement women's reservation before the 2029 elections, while opposition members raise concerns about representation from southern states. This article delves into the key developments and strategies shaping these crucial legislative discussions.
| Apr 17, 2026, 14:18 IST
Key Meeting Among BJP Leaders
As discussions commence in Parliament regarding the Women's Reservation Bill and amendments to the delimitation legislation, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) convened a meeting at the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. The gathering focused on deliberating amendments to the Women's Reservation Bill, with notable attendees including BJP National President Nitin Nabin, General Secretary Vinod Tawde, National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, MP Arun Singh, and National Vice President Rekha Verma. Additionally, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Piyush Goyal, were also present at the meeting.
Congress Strategy Meeting
This morning, at 10 AM, members of the India Block from Congress gathered in the chamber of party president Mallikarjun Kharge to strategize for the session. Sources indicate that Congress leaders Kakoli Ghosh, Manickam Tagore, K.C. Venugopal, and P. Chidambaram are ensuring the attendance of all India Block MPs in the House. According to the agenda, voting is scheduled for the Constitutional Amendment and Delimitation Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The Congress party has issued a three-line whip urging its MPs to be present during the special session from April 16 to 18 and to support the party's stance.
Ongoing Discussions in Lok Sabha
Debate continues in the Lok Sabha regarding the Constitution (One Hundred Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Concurrently, discussions are also taking place on the Union Territory Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends this reservation to Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as on the delimitation bill, which proposes to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies to 850.
Government's Plans for Women's Reservation
The government is planning to implement women's reservation ahead of the 2029 general elections. This involves amending the 2023 Act and separating the delimitation process from the 2027 census. However, opposition MPs have expressed concerns regarding the constitutional amendment aimed at increasing Lok Sabha seats based on the 2011 census, fearing it may reduce representation from southern states in the House.