Priyanka Chaturvedi Advocates for Unbiased Delimitation of Constituencies
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New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) Priyanka Chaturvedi, a prominent leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), emphasized on Sunday the critical need for delimitation of constituencies to enhance representation and foster development. However, she warned that this process should not be skewed to provide unfair political gains or be subject to partisan influences.
In a statement posted on X, Chaturvedi, who previously served as a Rajya Sabha member, addressed the increasing workload faced by Members of Parliament. She remarked, "Delimitation is essential, as Lok Sabha MPs find themselves stretched across six populous assemblies, which in turn hampers their focus on development initiatives."
She highlighted the repeated delays in the delimitation process over the years and called for a transparent and equitable approach. "Every effort to initiate delimitation has faced postponement. It is imperative that the delimitation process does not disproportionately benefit the ruling party nor be marred by political maneuvering or attempts to gain electoral advantage," she asserted.
The topic of delimitation has resurfaced in political discussions, especially with the anticipated conclusion of the constitutional freeze on adjusting Lok Sabha and state assembly seats, which has been based on the population figures from the 1971 Census. This freeze is expected to lift after the first Census conducted post-2026.
The Census commenced on April 1, 2026, with updated population statistics expected by 2027. Upon finalization of this data, the process of delimitation—redrawing constituency boundaries and reallocating seats among states—will be mandated by law.
The discourse surrounding delimitation is also intertwined with the enactment of the Women's Reservation law, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which stipulates a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The implementation of this law hinges on the completion of delimitation following the upcoming Census.
Chaturvedi, who has consistently advocated for this legislation, has stressed the importance of timely and effective implementation rather than letting it become a mere promise.
Recent government discussions have included proposals for amendments and the potential for a special session of Parliament to either expedite or separate certain aspects of this process.