Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), has stated that no conclusive decision has been made regarding the Delimitation Bill. The issue is poised to be addressed during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting set for Monday at 1 PM. Dastidar emphasised, “Nothing has been decided regarding the bill yet. We will be able to proceed only after a decision is reached then; nothing is finalised at this moment.”

Discussion on Developmental Agenda with Prime Minister

The MP also revealed the outcomes of a significant meeting held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which took place on Saturday. This meeting was primarily focused on the developmental agenda for the state of West Bengal. Dastidar noted that the discussion with the Prime Minister lasted for over two hours and included a range of suggestions aimed at enhancing the state’s development. She mentioned that her colleague Abu Taher was also present at this high-level meeting.

While the specifics of the suggestions remained undisclosed, Dastidar highlighted the importance of such engagements in shaping the future of West Bengal. The meeting reflects the government’s commitment to addressing regional developmental issues and seeking input from local leaders in the decision-making process.

Overview of the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Related Issues

The Delimitation Bill 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 16, 2026. Its primary objective is to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies, increase the Lok Sabha’s size to 850 seats, and implement a women’s reservation policy. Despite its introduction, the bill has not yet been passed, as it did not secure the necessary special two-thirds majority required by the Constitution for it to move forward.

In a statement made in the Parliament earlier today, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Rijiju criticized Gandhi for retracting his unconditional support for the Women’s Reservation Bill and questioned its connection to the Delimitation Bill. Rijiju provided clarification on the government’s rationale for linking the two pieces of legislation, citing constitutional provisions.

Rijiju detailed that the Women’s Reservation Bill is set to take effect post-delimitation and based on census figures published following the year 2023, which are expected to be available after 2026. He pointed out that the exercise for publishing these census figures is currently in progress but may be subject to delays due to a caste-based census. Rijiju noted that without expediting the delimitation process, the implementation of women’s reservation could be prolonged until at least the 2034 General Elections.

Hence, Rijiju urged that to facilitate the implementation of women’s reservation in the upcoming general elections in 2029, expedience in the delimitation process based on the latest census figures is crucial. This has raised questions regarding the alignment of the two legislative measures and has spurred further debate within political circles.

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