New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted in the Lok Sabha that southern states will witness a substantial rise in parliamentary seats after the proposed delimitation exercise, firmly rejecting opposition claims that their representation would decline.
Addressing a debate on key legislative proposals, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Shah described the criticism as “completely false” and misleading.
He clarified that the number of seats allocated to five southern states would rise from 129 to 195, marking a 50 percent increase. This expansion comes as part of a broader plan to enhance the total strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 members.
Shah emphasized that not only would the absolute number of seats grow, but the proportional representation of southern states would also see a marginal rise—from 23.76 percent to nearly 24 percent—countering fears of political marginalization.
Providing a detailed breakdown, the Home Minister explained that Karnataka will see its seats increase from 28 to 42, while Andhra Pradesh will rise from 25 to 38. Telangana is projected to grow from 17 to 26 seats. Similarly, Tamil Nadu will expand its representation from 39 to 59, and Kerala from 20 to 30 seats.
Explaining the methodology, Shah noted that the increase has been calculated precisely at 50 percent over the current seat allocation, ensuring proportional expansion across regions.
Addressing concerns about the legal framework, Shah reiterated that the proposed delimitation follows the same structure as earlier laws. He stated that the government has not introduced any changes to the existing provisions, dismissing allegations of manipulation. According to him, the new bill mirrors previous legislation in both intent and execution.
He also reassured the House that upcoming elections, including the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and the 2029 general elections, will be conducted under the current system, without any immediate changes resulting from the delimitation process.
The proposed expansion of the Lok Sabha also includes a significant provision for women’s representation. Out of the total 816 seats, 272 are expected to be reserved for women, aligning with the 33 percent quota under the Women’s Reservation framework.
The Lok Sabha took up all three bills for discussion and passage on Thursday, marking a crucial step in electoral and constitutional reforms aimed at reshaping parliamentary representation.
Shah is expected to further elaborate on the delimitation process and its linkage with the women’s reservation provisions in his upcoming address, as the government seeks to build consensus around one of the most significant structural reforms in India’s electoral system.