Rising Role of Women in Indian Politics: A Journey Towards Empowerment – The Asian Chronicle
The article featuring in NDTV discusses the impending impact of the Women’s Reservation Bill on India’s electoral landscape, focusing on the forthcoming delimitation exercise. This process is expected to increase the Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 753. Uttar Pradesh is projected to witness the most substantial rise, going from 80 to 128 seats, while the southern states will see marginal increases, potentially reducing their representation.
In 2026, with an estimated population of 1.42 billion, population data will play a pivotal role in constituency boundary redraws. For instance, Karnataka’s seats are predicted to increase from 28 to 36, while Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will experience modest growth in their seat counts. Kerala, with its controlled population growth, will be an exception, with seats decreasing from 20 to 19.
The article highlights the significant numerical disparity between northern and southern states, potentially leading to opposition criticism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has indicated that census and delimitation will follow the upcoming general election, addressing the north-south representation divide.
Furthermore, the piece mentions that the number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unchanged since 1977 and outlines the history of Delimitation Commissions in India. Once implemented, the Women’s Reservation Bill will substantially increase female representation in the Lok Sabha, with reserved seats for women in state assemblies as well. The Delimitation Commission, formed by the President and consisting of retired Supreme Court judges, will play a crucial role in this process, with its decisions being final and unchallengeable.
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