Congress flags regional imbalance concerns over proposed LS expansion bill

The Indian National Congress (INC) on Wednesday raised concerns over a proposed Bill to expand the size of the Lok Sabha, warning that it could widen the representation gap between northern and southern states and place the latter at a political disadvantage.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the proposal on social media, alleging that the government plans to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha by 50 per cent, along with a proportional rise in seats allocated to each state.

“The argument that a 50 per cent increase in seats across-the-board is equitable is deceptive,” Ramesh said, cautioning that while proportions may appear unchanged initially, the long-term implications could deepen regional imbalances.

He pointed to existing disparities in representation, noting that Uttar Pradesh currently has 80 Lok Sabha seats compared to 39 in Tamil Nadu. Under the proposed expansion, Uttar Pradesh’s strength could rise to 120 seats, while Tamil Nadu’s may increase to around 59.

Similarly, Kerala could see its seats go up from 20 to 30, while Bihar may increase from 40 to 60. Overall, Ramesh claimed, northern states would gain around 200 seats compared to about 66 seats for southern states.

He warned that such an expansion could disadvantage not just southern states, but also smaller states across the Northeast and western regions. “The government is preparing a law that could undermine equitable representation,” he alleged.

The concerns echo those raised earlier by A. Revanth Reddy, who termed the proposal a “hidden conspiracy” that could politically weaken southern India.

The debate comes amid broader discussions on parliamentary reforms following the inauguration of the new Parliament building in 2023, when the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed, providing for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

As the proposal gains traction, it is likely to spark a broader political debate over representation, federal balance, and the future structure of India’s Parliament.

With IANS inputs