Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has voiced strong objections to the connection made between the Women’s Reservation Bill and the delimitation process. During a press interaction on April 16, 2023, he alleged that the Government is using this linkage for political gains. Sisodia expressed support for the idea of increasing women’s representation in legislative bodies but condemned the approach being taken, which he believes jeopardises the integrity of the electoral structure.

He stated, “The Women’s Reservation Bill is a good idea, and we all stand in support of it. However, the alterations being made to the entire seating arrangement are concerning. It has become a pattern for Prime Minister Modi that if his party is unable to secure victories in specific regions, they manipulate electoral configurations.” He further accused the ruling party of aiming to decrease Lok Sabha seats in areas where they struggle to win, while increasing them in strongholds.

Reception Among Opposition Parties

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MA Baby also addressed the media, underscoring concerns about the current approach to delimitation. He referenced the 2010 amendment passed in the Rajya Sabha, which he claims could have been adhered to instead of introducing a new contentious delimitation process framed as a women’s reservation initiative. Baby characterised the current moves by the Narendra Modi-led government as deceptive.

The Lok Sabha recently considered three significant pieces of legislation: the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and The Delimitation Bill, 2026. The introduction of these bills has heightened scrutiny and scepticism among various opposition factions, who have pledged to challenge the validity of linking women’s representation with delimitation.

In light of these developments, there has been unified resistance from multiple political entities, all of whom are keen to uphold what they describe as democratic norms. The opposition intends to highlight what they see as an opportunistic manoeuvre from the current government that threatens to alter the electorate’s structure for partisan advantage.

Prime Minister Modi’s Appeal for Support

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling appeal for bipartisan support for the proposed bills. He emphasised the necessity of implementing the women’s reservation bill in the upcoming 2029 Lok Sabha elections and urged parliamentarians not to overlook this crucial opportunity for enhancing women’s political representation.

Modi remarked that women have not forgotten those who have fought against their rights, implicitly urging lawmakers to recognise the importance of addressing these historical grievances. His statements reflected an awareness of the ongoing public sentiment around gender representation in politics.

His remarks came against a backdrop of public discussions regarding the necessity of gender equity within political frameworks, with the Prime Minister aiming to galvanise parliamentary backing for the women’s reservation initiative amidst the contentious political climate.

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