Monsoon Session Set for Push on Women's Reservation, Delimitation Bills

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has expressed confidence that Parliament will pass the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session , saying the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) now has the numbers needed to secure approval for the two key constitutional amendment bills.

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Athawale said the proposals failed to clear Parliament during the previous session because of opposition from the Congress , Samajwadi Party , and Trinamool Congress (TMC) . He maintained that the political landscape has since shifted in favour of the NDA, increasing the likelihood of both measures being enacted.

According to the Union Minister, the government plans to reintroduce the Women's Reservation Bill , which seeks to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies . If Parliament approves the legislation, the reservation is expected to come into force from the 2029 general elections , following the completion of the delimitation exercise.

Athawale also stressed the significance of delimitation , describing it as a constitutional process undertaken periodically to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies in line with population changes. The proposed exercise is also expected to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats , making it one of the most significant electoral reforms in recent decades.

The senior Maharashtra leader, who heads the Republican Party of India (Athawale) , a key NDA ally, said recent political developments have further strengthened the government's prospects. He claimed that support from some members associated with the TMC and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) , along with evolving opposition dynamics, has improved the chances of securing the required parliamentary backing.

"We have a two-thirds majority . Both the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill will be passed," Athawale said, while urging the Congress and other opposition parties to support the proposed constitutional amendments in the interest of strengthening democratic representation.

The two bills had earlier been taken up during Parliament's specially extended session on April 17 , when the constitutional amendment proposing women's reservation from 2029, along with an increase in Lok Sabha seats, received 298 votes in favour and 230 against . However, the proposal fell short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment, resulting in its defeat.

The proposed legislation remains politically significant, as the Women's Reservation Bill is aimed at expanding women's representation in legislatures, while the Delimitation Bill seeks to realign constituencies based on demographic changes to ensure more balanced electoral representation across the country.