New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday raised strong objections to the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that it could alter the balance of representation in the Lok Sabha to the disadvantage of southern states.
The proposed amendment, expected to be taken up during a special sitting of Parliament, is linked to the upcoming delimitation exercise and a planned expansion of the Lok Sabha’s strength. According to media reports, the House could be increased to around 850 seats, including allocations for states and Union Territories.
Chidambaram argued that an increase in the total number of seats would not necessarily ensure proportional representation for all regions. He pointed out that seat allocation after delimitation is determined by population distribution across constituencies, which could lead to uneven outcomes among states.
Citing indicative projections, he suggested that while some states may initially appear to gain seats, the final numbers after delimitation could differ significantly. He expressed concern that states in southern India may see a decline in their overall share of representation in Parliament.
“The apprehensions I had voiced in the last week have proved right. When the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50%, from 543 to 815, TN’s strength will seemingly increase from 39 to 58. But this is an illusion. When delimitation takes place, it will be reduced to 46. Uttar Pradesh’s strength will first increase from 80 to 120 and, after delimitation, it will further increase to roughly 140. All the Southern States that have currently a representation of 24.3% will find their representation reduced to 20.7%. This is a mischievous, diabolical move to radically alter the federal balance. This must be OPPOSED,” Chidambaram said in a post on X.
Describing the move as a serious shift in the federal structure, the Congress leader said it could weaken the existing balance among states. He called for wider debate and urged that such changes should not proceed without careful consideration.
The issue comes at a time when discussions around delimitation have gained momentum ahead of future electoral cycles. The proposed amendment is also linked to the implementation of women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, expected to take effect from the 2029 general elections.
Opposition parties have voiced concerns over the timing and implications of the proposed exercise, particularly in the absence of updated Census data. The government has yet to formally respond to the specific concerns raised, but the matter is likely to be debated extensively in the coming parliamentary session.
