Increasing Lok Sabha constituencies and State Assembly seats by 50 per cent: South India may be affected by regional inequalities

The BJP-led central government is playing a dangerous political game that goes against the federal spirit—the very foundation of India’s democracy. By fuelling divisions among states and people who have historically coexisted in unity despite diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, the BJP is promoting divisive politics. At a time when public dissatisfaction against the authoritarian style of governance of Narendra Modi is steadily increasing, the BJP appears to be resorting to questionable strategies to cling to power.

With minimal electoral strength in South India, the BJP seems to be devising plans to return to power by leveraging its dominance in northern states. Despite failures across multiple sectors and growing public distress, the BJP government is unlikely to regain people’s trust through such tactics.

The Centre’s proposal to increase Lok Sabha constituencies and state Assembly seats by 50 per cent raises serious concerns. The plan to expand Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 and Assembly seats nationwide from 4,123 to 6,185 has sparked suspicion. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly discussed delimitation plans only with NDA allies, ignoring other political parties. Such a crucial decision cannot be treated as an internal matter of a ruling coalition. The lack of consultation with all stakeholders reveals a worrying intent.

There are apprehensions that the seat redistribution will disproportionately benefit northern states based on population, thereby marginalizing southern states. The absence of clarity on the scientific or constitutional basis for a 50 per cent increase further deepens these concerns.

Post-delimitation, northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are expected to see a substantial rise in seats. This could enable the BJP to secure power by winning primarily in the North, sidelining southern representation. Already perceived as a Hindi-belt-centric party, the BJP risks further alienating southern states in matters such as allocation of funds, project approvals, and appointments to high offices like President and Vice President.

Earlier attempts by the Modi government to push population-based delimitation were resisted by a united front of southern states, forcing a retreat. Now, the proposal to increase seats by 50 per cent—even without directly reducing southern seats—still threatens to dilute their influence. Southern states maintain that any seat expansion must ensure equitable representation across all regions.

Historically, disparities in population have resulted in more constituencies in northern states compared to the South. Southern states have long demanded correction of this imbalance. When the Centre attempted delimitation based on population last year, opposition parties convened in Chennai and formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) advocating for “fair delimitation,” forcing the Centre to step back—a victory for democratic principles.

Even now, increasing seats without addressing regional balance amounts to injustice. Reduced relative representation for southern states will weaken their voice in legislatures, affecting not just political power but also economic interests, thereby widening regional inequalities.

After independence, delimitation was conducted every decade. However, due to uneven population growth, Indira Gandhi froze Lok Sabha seat expansion in 1971 for 25 years. Later, Atal Bihari Vajpayee continued this approach in 2001. The rationale was clear: population-based seat increases would penalize southern states that successfully implemented family planning policies.

Thus, delimitation exercises in 1976 and 2002 only altered constituency boundaries without increasing seats. After 45 years, the current push by the Modi government marks a controversial shift. Ironically, the disciplined implementation of population control in southern states—once considered a national strength—now risks becoming a disadvantage.

In 1951, southern states accounted for about 26 per cent of India’s population, which declined to around 19 per cent by 2022. In contrast, northern states increased their share from about 39 per cent to 43 per cent during the same period, widening regional disparities.

Although the Centre claims that no injustice will occur, the ground reality suggests otherwise. Even if southern seats are not reduced, the relative increase in northern representation will diminish the South’s influence. This imbalance could lead to legislative dominance by northern states, making it difficult to resist policies that may undermine secularism, federalism, and the rights of marginalized communities.

The BJP, already accused of exploiting religious and caste divisions for political gains, now risks deepening regional divides through delimitation. Such a move could have long-term consequences for national unity.

It is imperative to resist any unjust delimitation process. Political parties and civil society must unite beyond partisan lines to ensure that the Centre reconsiders its approach and guarantees fair representation for all regions of the country.

(The writer is Chairman, Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangatan , Telangana)