Pawar's NCP May Back NDA's Delimitation Bill, Splits Opposition

Top Summary

• What happened: Sharad Pawar's NCP faction is reportedly set to support the NDA government's contentious delimitation bill, breaking ranks with the opposition.
• Why it matters: This move could significantly alter the political landscape and the opposition's unified front, potentially paving the way for the bill's passage.
• What changes: The bill aims to increase Lok Sabha seats and operationalise women's reservation, with potential implications for state representation.
• Who is affected: Political parties, parliamentarians, and ultimately citizens of India will be affected by the redrawing of electoral boundaries and increased representation.

Pawar's NCP Considers Support for Delimitation Bill

Sources indicate that Sharad Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is leaning towards backing the Narendra Modi government's controversial bill concerning the next delimitation exercise. This potential shift represents a significant departure from the opposition's united front, which previously voted against the legislation.

The move follows reports of secretive late-night meetings between senior leaders from both NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. These discussions have fuelled speculation about a possible reunification of the NCP and its alignment with the ruling NDA.

Conditions for Support Emerge

NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, while refusing to confirm the exact outcome, stated that the faction's support hinges on specific conditions. The party will back the bill if the government ensures a 50 per cent increase in seats across all states and clearly outlines its implementation.

"If the government provides for a 50 per cent increase in seats across all states and clearly outlines its implementation, we will support it."

This stance aligns with the party's prior position and echoes an assurance given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in April. Shah had indicated the government's willingness to amend the bill to ensure a uniform 50 per cent rise in Lok Sabha seats, preventing any state from being disadvantaged.

Past Opposition and Unfulfilled Assurances

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes to increase the Lok Sabha's strength to 850 seats and implement women's reservation, previously failed to garner the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha on April 17. The proposed amendment by Amit Shah, promising a 50% increase, was never formally incorporated into the bill's final text.

Amit Shah had argued during the Lok Sabha debate that even with a 50% increase, states would not be at a disadvantage, stating, "After a 50% increase, their seats will rise to 195, which will be 23.87% of 816 seats. No one will be at a loss."

Clarifications and Political Undercurrents

Supriya Sule also addressed speculation surrounding NCP leader Jayant Patil's meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis. She clarified that Patil's meeting was official, related to constituency work following the suspension of a Zilla Parishad president in Ishwarpur. The details of the meeting at 'Varsha' (CM's residence) were deferred to the Chief Minister.

The political discourse was amplified by senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram's assertion that the BJP was actively seeking support from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the DMK for the bill. Chidambaram urged these parties to reject the legislation, arguing that the current delimitation formula would unfairly penalize states with effective population control measures.

Upcoming Parliamentary Session

The government is expected to reintroduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commences on July 20.