- Centre plans special session for women's quota, delimitation bills.
- NDA seeks support from DMK, NCP (SP) for bill passage.
- Lok Sabha numbers shift, making bill passage more likely.
Parliament Special Session: Amid the ongoing row over the alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning, the Centre is reportedly planning to call a special parliament session, that too before the end of this month. As per the reports, the special session is being called to push the bill related to delimitation and women's reservation. While the government could not pass the bill the previous time in the Lok Sabha, the equation has changed in both houses.
Earlier in April, the Modi government faced a massive setback after it failed to pass the key bills due to lack of the required numbers. However, with 20 TMC and seven Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joining the NDA, the equation has changed in the lower house. Apart from this, the government is also in talks with the MK Stalin-led DMK, which recently separated from the INDIA Bloc, to support the ambitious bill.
Will DMK Take A U-Turn?
While DMK had strongly opposed the delimitation bill last time, Stalin is expected to change his mind if the centre assures him of implementing the bill as per the proposed 50 per cent formula, reported Jagran. Apart from this, other parties, such as NCP (SP), could also consider supporting the bill if it is proposed with the required changes.
Recommended For You
The development could turn into reality, as senior leader Supriya Sule had hinted the same a few months back. "Willingness to talk if 50 per cent was guaranteed," she was quoted as saying. As per the proposed plan, the seats of every state will increase by 50 per cent. For example, Uttar Pradesh, which currently has 80 Lok Sabha seats, will have 120 seats after the exercise.
Number Game Explained
The government would require support from two-thirds of 543 Lok Sabha MPs to pass the bill in the lower house. Currently, the ruling NDA has around 310 parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha; however, to pass the bill, they would need support from another 52 MPs. With DMK's 22 and NCP's eight MPs, the ruling alliance has inched closer to the magic number. Apart from this, the senior cabinet ministers are also reportedly in touch with the other regional forces to cross the majority line.