Delimitation Is the Real Threat, Not Women's Quota: Sonia Gandhi

Congress Parliamentary Party chief questions timing of special Parliament session as debate over Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amendments heats up ahead of April 16 sitting

Gandhi Targets Special Session

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday asserted that the core issue behind the government's decision to convene a special sitting of Parliament this week is delimitation — not women's reservation — and described the reported delimitation proposal as posing an existential threat to the Constitution itself.

Writing in an opinion article published in The Hindu, Gandhi accused the Modi government of using the Women's Reservation Bill as political cover while pushing through a far more consequential exercise in redrawn parliamentary boundaries.

Political Timing Under Fire

Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking support from opposition parties for bills the government intends to force through Parliament at a time when election campaigns in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are at their peak, with the only plausible explanation being an attempt to derive political advantage and put the opposition on the back foot.

She also criticised the government for declining repeated requests from opposition parties to hold an all-party meeting after the conclusion of Assembly elections on April 29, before taking up the constitutional amendments.

On the Reservation Timeline

Gandhi noted that Parliament had unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023, introducing Article 334-A, which mandated one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, subject to the completion of the next census and a delimitation exercise. She pointed out that the opposition had never asked for this condition — in fact, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge had demanded women's reservation be implemented from the 2024 general elections itself, a demand the government rejected.

Now, according to Gandhi, Article 334-A is set to be amended so that the reservation comes into effect from 2029 — and she questioned why the Prime Minister had taken over 30 months to reverse his own position on the matter.

The Delimitation Warning

Gandhi clarified that the opposition's objection is not to 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures — that debate has been settled — but to the delimitation process being rushed through ahead of the 2027 census.

She stressed that any increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha through delimitation must be politically equitable, not merely arithmetical, warning that a proportionate increase could magnify existing regional imbalances and reduce the relative influence of some states.

According to available but unofficial information, the Lok Sabha could expand from 543 to 816 seats following the amendment, with a separate Delimitation Bill to be introduced alongside the constitutional amendment.

Census Delay Argument Rejected

Gandhi took aim at the government's stated justification for acting before the census, pointing out that Bihar and Telangana each conducted comprehensive caste surveys within six months, undermining arguments that such exercises require prolonged lead time. She also noted that senior government officials have publicly stated that most population enumeration data from Census 2027 will be available in 2027 itself — making the special session's urgency appear hollow.

Caste Census Concern

Gandhi further alleged that PM Modi's actual intent is to delay and derail the caste census, pointing to the government's record of filing affidavits in the Supreme Court rejecting caste enumeration, before reversing course approximately a year ago when the 2027 census was announced as a caste census. She argued the sudden change in position lacked credibility.

Opposition's Demand and BJP's Whip

Gandhi said the monsoon session of Parliament is set to begin in mid-July and argued there is ample time for the government to hold proper consultations and introduce the amendment bills then, rather than rushing them through a three-day special sitting.

Meanwhile, the BJP issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, directing them to be present in Parliament from April 16 to 18 without exception. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote separately to the Prime Minister, stating that convening Parliament during active state elections reflects an intent to weaponise legislation for electoral benefit.

What Comes Next

Both bills — the constitutional amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and a separate Delimitation Bill — require passage as constitutional amendments. The plan to proceed using 2011 census data, rather than the upcoming 2027 figures, has become a central flashpoint in the political standoff. With Parliament set to convene on April 16, the government will need to demonstrate it has secured the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional ame

In a rare and dramatic escalation in Parliament, 118 Opposition MPs have submitted a no-confidence notice against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The move comes after days of heated exchanges during the Budget Session, with the Opposition accusing the Speaker of partisan conduct.

The notice was submitted on February 10, just a day after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi publicly complained that Birla had gone back on a promise to let him speak on key issues. At the time, BJP MP Sandhya Rai was presiding, and Gandhi was not allowed to continue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju denied any such assurance existed.

What Triggered the Om Birla No Confidence Motion?  

The flashpoint occurred when Rahul Gandhi told the House that the Speaker had personally assured him speaking time before the Budget. When denied, the House was adjourned. On February 10, Om Birla was notably absent from the chair.

The Opposition lists four main charges in the notice:  

- Rahul Gandhi was stopped from completing his speech during the President’s Address debate.  

- Eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the entire Budget Session.  

- No action was taken against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for controversial remarks about former Prime Ministers.  

- Birla made serious allegations that Congress MPs might attack Prime Minister Modi, leading him to ask the PM not to enter the House.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the Speaker’s role has become “no longer impartial,” leaving them with no choice but to act.

Om Birla Recuses Himself from the Chair  

In a significant development, Speaker Om Birla has decided not to preside over Lok Sabha proceedings until the no-confidence motion is resolved. Sources say he is staying away on moral grounds, even though rules do not require it. The Lok Sabha Secretariat is now examining the notice, which carries more than the required 50 signatures.

The Process to Remove the Lok Sabha Speaker  

Under Article 94 of the Constitution, removing the Speaker requires a resolution passed by a simple majority of members present and voting. The notice needs at least 50 MPs and must meet procedural checks. Once accepted, the House sets a date for debate—possibly as early as March 9.

Importantly, the Speaker does not preside during the discussion. The Speaker can attend, speak in his defence, and even vote. If the motion passes with more than half the votes, Birla would be removed immediately, and the House would elect a new Speaker.

Why Move the Motion Without the Numbers?  

The Opposition, even with full INDIA bloc support, has around 235 MPs—short of the 272 needed for a majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Political experts call this a “message politics” strategy. It highlights alleged suppression of Opposition voices and tests the unity of the INDIA alliance.

TMC has not yet fully backed the notice. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said they want written demands first and will decide in two-three days. With TMC’s 29 MPs, the numbers still fall short.

Is the Speaker’s Chair Under Real Threat?  

Most analysts say no. The motion is unlikely to pass, but it keeps the spotlight on Parliament’s functioning and Opposition grievances. Similar moves were made against former Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in 2024—also unsuccessful but politically loud.

As the Budget Session continues, all eyes are on whether the motion reaches debate and how it affects House proceedings. For now, the absence of Om Birla from the Speaker’s chair marks an extraordinary moment in Indian parliamentary history.