Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the Lok Sabha will see a significant increase in seats allocated to five southern states following the upcoming delimitation exercise. This adjustment will raise the total number of seats for these states from 129 to 195, marking an approximate 50 percent surge, as the overall strength of the Lower House expands to 816 members.
Dispelling Delimitation Concerns
During a Lok Sabha debate concerning three bills related to amendments in the women's quota law and the establishment of a delimitation commission, Shah addressed and rejected opposition concerns. He clarified that the existing legal framework governing delimitation remains unchanged, countering what he described as a "false narrative" being spread to mislead the public.
Shah emphasized that the delimitation bill aligns precisely with previous legislation introduced by prior governments, stating, "There is no change, not even a comma or a full stop." He also dismissed any suggestions of government interference or "mischief" in the delimitation process.
State-Wise Seat Increases
The Home Minister detailed the proposed changes for individual southern states:
- Karnataka: Lok Sabha seats will increase from 28 to 42.
- Andhra Pradesh: Seats will rise from 25 to 38.
- Telangana: Representation will go up from 17 to 26.
- Tamil Nadu: Seats will increase from 39 to 59.
- Kerala: Representation will grow from 20 to 30.
Collectively, the share of these five states in the Lok Sabha will see a marginal rise in their percentage of power, moving from 23.76 percent to 23.87 percent, or nearly 24 percent.
New Lok Sabha Strength and Related Bills
While the initial bill suggested a maximum Lok Sabha strength of 850, Shah clarified that the final number has been fixed at 816 seats. This figure represents an exact 50 percent increase over the current strength of 543 members.
During the debate, the Lok Sabha considered three key legislations:
- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026
- The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- The Delimitation Bill, 2026
Shah also addressed other significant proposals, confirming that the proposed 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha will only take effect in 2029. Until then, all elections, including the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, will proceed under the current electoral system. Furthermore, he stated that the government plans to conduct a caste census alongside the upcoming population enumeration, responding to demands from Samajwadi Party members.