NEW DELHI, Apr 5: The Congress on Sunday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the proposed expansion of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, alleging that the move disproportionately benefits larger states and serves as a calculated diversion from pressing national concerns.
The party accused the Prime Minister of pushing the proposal without adequate consultation, claiming it would widen the representation gap between populous and smaller states. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh argued that increasing seats across all states would still amplify the numerical advantage of states like Uttar Pradesh, thereby reducing the relative influence of regions such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and several northeastern states.
In a statement, Ramesh contended that the proposal could significantly alter the federal balance, noting that existing disparities in representation would only grow further under the plan. He also criticised the government for what he described as “misleading assurances” that no state would be adversely affected.
The remarks come amid indications that Parliament may soon take up key legislation to raise the current Lok Sabha strength from 543 to a significantly higher number. The proposed changes are linked to the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, passed in 2023, which mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Prime Minister Modi, addressing a public rally in Kerala, said the government intends to ensure that no state loses representation as a result of the exercise. He emphasised that additional legal provisions are required to operationalise the women’s quota ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The government has also signalled that a brief reconvening of Parliament later this month will focus on passing crucial amendments related to seat expansion and reservation implementation. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently indicated that important bills would be introduced during the upcoming sitting.
However, the Congress has questioned the urgency behind the move, alleging that the Centre is attempting to fast-track sensitive constitutional changes for electoral advantage, particularly with upcoming state polls in mind. The party has called for wider consultations and cautioned against rushing the delimitation process, describing it as a complex and sensitive issue with long-term implications.
While the Centre maintains that the initiative is aimed at strengthening representation and enabling women’s participation in legislatures, the opposition continues to frame the proposal as politically motivated, setting the stage for a broader debate in the coming weeks.