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Delimitation Plan Risks "One Person, One Vote" Principle, Warns Congress

Congress MP Manish Tewari has raised an alarm that the proposed delimitation exercise, based on the 2011 Census, threatens the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote, one value." He projects that states like Uttar Pradesh could see Lok Sabha seats surge from 80 to 142, while Kerala would see a modest rise, skewing representation toward more populous heartland states. The plan also includes reserving one-third of seats for women and lifting the freeze on seat numbers based on the 1971 Census. Fellow Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has also criticized the proposed legislation as "mischievous" and "devious."

Key Points: Congress Warns Delimitation Plan Skews Federal Balance

  • 2011 Census as basis risks federal balance
  • Lok Sabha strength may rise to 850 seats
  • UP seats could jump from 80 to 142
  • One-third seats reserved for women for 15 years
3 min read

"One person, one vote, one value" at risk due to delimitation plan: Congress MP Manish Tewari

Congress MPs warn using the 2011 Census for delimitation could drastically alter Lok Sabha seat distribution, favoring populous states and skewing federal balance.

"The Federal balance will get further skewed to the advantage of the Heartland states. - Manish Tewari"

New Delhi, April 15

Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise linked to the Constitutional Amendment Bill, warning that using the 2011 Census as the basis for reallocating Lok Sabha seats could tilt the federal balance in favour of more populous states.

Citing Article 81(2)(a) of the Constitution of India, Tewari highlighted the principle of "one person, one vote, one value" and stated that the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications for representation across states.

In a post on X, Tewari wrote, "The Fundamental Principle of One Person one vote one value - Article 81 (2) (a) stands as it is: It says: there shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in the House of the People in such manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the state is, so far as practicable, the same for all States."

He further pointed out that if the 2011 Census is used as the basis for delimitation and the proposed strength of the Lok Sabha is increased to 850 seats, each parliamentary constituency would represent approximately 14.2 lakh people.

"2011- Census will be the basis of delimitation according to the Constitution Amendment Bill. Presuming the Delimitation Commission will divide 850 seats proposed in the Constitutional Amendment Bill by the Population of India in 2011, which was 121 crores, each Lok Sabha seat would be 14.2 Lakhs approximately," he added.

Tewari cautioned that such a formula could significantly alter the current balance of representation.

"Now apply this to the population of Kerala in 2011 by way of example- 3.34 crores roughly divided by 14.2 Lakhs, Kerala will get about 23 seats up from 20 seats. UP will go upto 142 seats from the current 80 by the same formula. Punjab will go up from the current 13 to 16-17," he said.

He also noted that one-third of Lok Sabha seats are proposed to be reserved for women for a period of 15 years and that the freeze based on the 1971 Census on the number of seats would be lifted.

"Then, 1/3 rd of Lok Sabha seats will be reserved for women for 15 years. The Freeze of 1971 Census on the number of seats has been lifted. The Federal balance will get further skewed to the advantage of the Heartland states. These bills are portentous in their implications," Tewari added.

In another detailed post, the Congress leader shared a handwritten projection outlining how the Lok Sabha could look after delimitation based on the 2011 Census, assuming the House strength is increased to 850 seats.

"This is what the Lok Sabha roughly may look like post Delimitation on the basis of the 2011 census, presuming the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased to 850 seats as envisaged in the Constitution Amendment Bill," Tewari wrote.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the proposed legislation.

In a post on X, he said, "When the intent behind a Bill is mischievous, and the content of it is devious, the extent of damage to parliamentary democracy is enormous."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting analysis by Tewari. While population should be a factor, using a 13-year-old census seems problematic. States that have controlled population growth effectively, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, seem to be penalized. Shouldn't we use the most recent data?
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Rohit P
UP getting 142 seats? That's almost one-sixth of the Lok Sabha! 🤯 This will completely change the political landscape. Heartland states will dominate every discussion and budget allocation. Southern and northeastern states need to raise their voice on this.
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Priya S
The reservation for women is a welcome step, long overdue. But bundling it with such a contentious delimitation exercise feels strategic. We must support women's representation, but not at the cost of distorting our federal structure. The bills should be debated separately.
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Michael C
As an observer, this seems like a fundamental reworking of political power. The freeze since 1971 was meant to encourage population control. Removing it now sends the wrong message. States that followed central policy on family planning are now at a disadvantage.
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Kavya N
Respectfully, I think Mr. Tewari is raising a valid alarm, but the tone is too political. This needs a non-partisan, national conversation. We need experts, not just politicians, to discuss how to balance representation with rewarding states for development and population stabilization. 🙏
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