New Delhi: The Union Government will table the implementation of 33% quota of women in legislature, the delimitation bill to increase the seats in Lok Sabha for Union Territories in parliament today. The Government plans to implement quota before 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam ties quota for women with delimitation and the last census. The Centre plans to proceed with the 2011 census data for delimitation and implementation of one-third reservation for women legislators.

Barring the delimitation bill that would set up a commission for redrawing constituencies, the other two are Constitution amendment bills that need a special majority of two-thirds of those present and voting to get passed. Any walkout or abstention by the opposition will bring down the majority mark.

It is difficult to the NDA Government to get the two-thirds majority in the parliament. There are 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and two –third majority is 360. The ruling NDA having only 293 members, it falls short by 67 seats. In Rajya Sabha two – third number is 163 and the NDA’s strength of 142 plus members leaves it 21 seats short of majority mark.

The opposition said though it approves of the women’s quota bill, the Government’s move to tie it up with delimitation in time for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections has compelled them to oppose the bills.  The government’s formula for redrawing constituencies based on the 2011 census will only aid the NDA, the opposition has contended. It would also reduce the southern states to the fringes of parliament.

Following delimitation and a proportional increase, the number in the Lok Sabha can increase to 815 under the bill, for Union Territories, the number is 35.  At present, there are 543 Lok Sabha members from states. The parties such as BJD, YSRCP and BRS which extended issue-based support to the Government, have hardened their stance on delimitation.