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Sitharaman Challenges Mamata on Delimitation, Asks "Why Fear Consultation?"

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asserted that the Delimitation Commission will consult all political parties, countering opposition fears about a lack of consultation. She launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, challenging her over remarks that delimitation would "divide Bengal" and questioning her stance on women's reservation. Banerjee had alleged the government is pushing delimitation without debate to divide Bengal and implement NRC. The proposed increase of Lok Sabha seats to 850 is linked to implementing the women's reservation law ahead of the 2029 elections.

Key Points: Sitharaman vs Mamata on Delimitation & Women's Reservation

  • Delimitation Commission will consult all parties
  • Mamata Banerjee alleges move to "divide Bengal"
  • Women's reservation linked to delimitation
  • Lok Sabha seats may increase to 850
3 min read

"Delimitation Commission will consult all parties, why fear?": Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman defends delimitation process, challenges CM Mamata Banerjee over her 'divide Bengal' remarks and stance on women's reservation.

"So why is the fear? You have a fear of the SIR, the Election Commission, Parliament. - Nirmala Sitharaman"

By Suchitra Mukherjee, Purba Bardhaman, April 15

Amid INDIA bloc parties opposing the delimitation process and flagging a lack of consultation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday clarified that the Delimitation Commission will consult with each political party.

Speaking to ANI in Purba Bardhaman, Nirmala Sitharaman launched a sharp attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her 'delimitation will divide' remarks.

Sitharaman said, "Is she suggesting that women will have to wait any longer, and she would not cooperate. Let her say that openly. I challenge her. Is she trying to stop reservations for women and putting fear in the minds of people in Bengal?"

When asked about the Centre's proposal to increase the seats in the Lok Sabha to 850, she clarified that it was the maximum limit.

She said, "That is a cap, maximum limit. There will be a delimitation committee for every state, and it will talk to all parties then only a call will be taken. So why is the fear? You have a fear of the SIR, the Election Commission, Parliament. You have a fear about every law which is passed. Whereas you don't do anything here. Even if money is sitting in Delhi, you don't use it. Mamata Banerjee, please say what is your idea of governance?"

On Sunday, Mamata Banerjee said that the special sitting of Parliament to bring in an amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been called amid elections and alleged the government is bringing the delimitation without consultations.

She alleged that the Centre wants delimitation, a process to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha, to "divide Bengal."

"Elections are going on, and in the middle of that, they are bringing the Delimitation Bill in Parliament. This was not even debated. The reason behind this is that they want to divide Bengal and conduct the NRC here. Our fight is with 'Vanish Kumar' (referring to CEC Gyanesh Kumar). I reiterate this, BJP will be gone one day very soon," she said at an election rally in Keshiary.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women legislators, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

According to sources, the government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18.

While the seats in Lok Sabha will witness a 50 per cent increase, the opposition parties have expressed concern as this increase will not be on a pro-rata basis for each state. The delimitation exercise, under Article 82 of the Constitution, is linked to the population of a constituency.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Mamata Didi is right to be concerned. Why bring such a major bill during elections? It feels rushed. The fear is that states which controlled their population growth will be penalized with fewer seats. This needs a national consensus, not political point-scoring.
A
Aman W
The core issue is being missed. Increasing seats to 850 is a massive change. Will the southern states, which contributed more to the economy and followed population norms, lose out? The formula must be fair. "One nation, one vote" should not mean punishing responsible states.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, the link to women's reservation is interesting. If delimitation is the hurdle for 33% seats for women, then de-linking it makes sense. But the process must be transparent. Consultation with all parties is non-negotiable for such a fundamental change.
V
Vikram M
The political blame game is tiresome. Be it BJP or TMC, please focus on governance. If the Commission will consult everyone, then let the process happen. But doing it ahead of women's reservation is a good move. Our mothers and sisters have waited long enough.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, the FM's challenge to Mamata Banerjee seems like diverting the issue. The question isn't about opposing women's reservation. It's about the timing and the potential uneven redistribution of political power. We need a calm, data-driven discussion, not heated rallies.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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