Maharashtra: Sule Backs Delimitation With 50% Seat Expansion Formula
Ms Sule argued that increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent in every state would protect the interests of all states, including those in southern India: Reports
MUMBAI: Amid speculation over the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)’s stand on the proposed delimitation exercise and reports of meetings between some of its leaders and the BJP, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday said her party would support the exercise only if the Centre adopts a “50 per cent expansion formula” for the Lok Sabha.
Ms Sule argued that increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent in every state would protect the interests of all states, including those in southern India. Her remarks come amid heightened political speculation over the party's future strategy following a late-night meeting between leaders of both NCP factions and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The contentious Delimitation Bill was defeated in Parliament in April 2026 after the BJP-led NDA government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority for its passage. Since then, the BJP has been attempting to garner broader support from Opposition parties. Political circles have also linked last month’s “Operation Tiger”, carried out by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, to these efforts, though there has been no official confirmation of such a connection.
Ms Sule said her party would be open to discussions if the government proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent in every state. “If the government brings a proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent in every state, we are ready to discuss it with our INDIA bloc partners. We will consider supporting the Bill if this 50 per cent formula is adopted,” she said.
Confirming that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had invited her, Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha leader Arvind Sawant and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi for a meeting, Ms Sule said the meeting was also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The two Union ministers, she said, briefed them on the proposed legislation.
According to Ms Sule, Mr Shah and Mr Rijiju proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent uniformly across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. “For instance, Maharashtra currently has 48 Lok Sabha seats. Under the proposal, 24 more seats would be added, taking the total to 72,” she said.
Ms Sule said the proposal would be discussed within the INDIA bloc before her party takes a final decision.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said Opposition parties would collectively deliberate on the Bill before arriving at a decision. “I have spoken to Supriya Sule over the phone on this issue. Once the Bill is introduced, all Opposition parties will sit together and take a collective decision. During the previous session, discussions were held with the government on this matter. If the government incorporates the amendments suggested by us, we are willing to discuss the Bill,” Mr Raut said.