131st Constitutional Amendment Bill and Delimitation Bill Context: Three bills including the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill have been introduced in the Lok Sabha with the aim of implementing a 33% reservation for women in the House, effective from the 2029 general elections onwards. Through this initiative, the total number of Lok Sabha constituencies is set to be increased from the current 543 to 815. According to this proposal, it is envisaged that 815 seats would be allocated to the States, while 35 seats would be allotted to the Union Territories. Out of the expanded total of 815 seats, 272 constituencies will be reserved for women, based on the 33% reservation quota. Within this reservation framework, a sub-quota will be provided for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. Under the legislation enacted in 2023, implementation was contingent upon the completion of the 2027 Census; consequently, the reservation could not have been effected prior to 2034. These amendments have been introduced specifically to circumvent this delay. The number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the Southern States will be increased from 129 to 195. The representation of the Southern States will witness a marginal increase, rising from 23.76% to 23.87%. Proposed figures The table shows the estimated number of seats for southern States as announced by Union Home Minister State Current seats As a share of current 543 seats 50% increase (approx.) New status (as a share of 816 seats) Karnataka 28 5.15% 42 5.14 Andhra Pradesh 25 4.60% 38 4.65% Telangana 17 3.13% 26 3.18% Tamil Nadu 39 7.18% 59 7.23% Kerala 20 3.68% 30 3.67% Total 129 23.76% 195 23.87% Current Facts Oru Ilakkiyavathiyin Arasiyal Anubhavangal by writer Jayakanthan he argued that Annadurai’s positions on literature, art, language, economics, and sociology…
