With the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to start on July 20, the BJP-led NDA administration has intensified efforts to secure a two-thirds majority for a new constitutional amendment bill. The measure aims to advance women’s reservation to 2029 alongside a delimitation bill expanding the Lok Sabha from 543 to as many as 850 members. The proposal was previously rejected in the lower house during the April special session.
BJP sources indicated the bill will be introduced only after confirming sufficient support. Recent shifts, including pledges from 20 rebel TMC members and six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joining an NDA ally, could raise the alliance’s strength to 329 seats if validated by the Speaker. This remains short of the 360 votes needed for passage.
The party is therefore approaching opposition groups such as NCP (SP), which holds eight seats, and hopes some non-NDA members may abstain. Opposition parties have stated that such moves will fail. Senior Congress MP K C Venugopal said attempts to influence lawmakers through agencies or inducements would not succeed in forcing the bill through.
Discussions are underway with the DMK, which the government expects may abstain or support the measure. The DMK has not yet decided its position and has requested separate seating from Congress benches following recent political alignments in Tamil Nadu. The party has previously opposed delimitation based solely on census data, citing potential harm to southern states.
DMK sources reported outreach from the government to identify a compromise. A senior leader noted concerns were conveyed and expressed hope for a positive resolution. DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi confirmed issues were raised to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests.
BJP sources said senior leaders remain in contact with regional figures and opposition MPs, including from the Samajwadi Party and Congress. Efforts are described as intensive, with no rush to introduce the bill without adequate numbers. Negotiations with NCP (SP) continue, though past experiences have created caution.
Some Congress leaders expressed concern that the BJP might soon gather enough support, but vowed to resist. Outreach to the DMK seeks to maintain opposition unity, referencing earlier joint action against the bill. A Congress MP noted that recent statements by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on delimitation serve as a signal to the DMK.
