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Delimitation and the women's quota

Jairam Ramesh says government is at least 26 short of two-thirds majority for delimitation bill

23 Sept 2026 · 3 outlets · 1 min read

AI illustration
In 30 seconds
  1. Ramesh said reports of a special session are 'planted every now and then'.
  2. CPI(M) MP John Brittas, on the same panel, said the SIR and delimitation are linked and both aim to favour the BJP.
  3. Ramesh cited the way delimitation was carried out in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir as a reason for concern.

Speaking at a book launch in Delhi on 23 September 2026, Congress's Jairam Ramesh said the government was 'at least 26 short' of a two-thirds majority and called the delimitation push a 'diabolical game'. He said all opposition parties wanted the 543 seats frozen for the next 25 years. He also said the Delimitation Commission proposed in April had been given 'vastly greater powers' than ever before.

Checked

Claim by claim

?Unverified

The government is at least 26 short of a two-thirds majority.

Said by Jairam Ramesh

The gap depends on who attends and votes. The Hindu calculated in August that the government would be 14 short even with the DMK's 22 MPs if all 540 members voted; abstentions lower the mark.

The New Indian Express (PTI) · The Hindu
⇄Disputed

All opposition parties want the 543 seats to remain frozen for the next 25 years.

Said by Jairam Ramesh

The DMK wants the freeze extended but with a 50% increase in seats for every state, and NCP (SP) has signalled willingness to talk if such an increase is guaranteed; both would raise the total above 543.

The Hindu · NDTV
In their own words

What each side says

Congress and Left

Ramesh and Brittas said the exercise is not a genuine constitutional amendment and that the commission's powers and past delimitations raise doubts.

The New Indian Express (PTI)
Government (via sources)

Government sources later told NDTV that the Centre's position had improved since April and that it was confident of crossing the two-thirds mark.

NDTV
Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?The government's own count of supporters, which it has not disclosed.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 2Centre · 1

3 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The New Indian Express (PTI)Delimitation bill: Govt playing 'diabolical game', at least 26 short of 2/3rd majority, says Jairam Ramesh
  2. The HinduDMK lays down conditions to support delimitation Bill
  3. NDTVSpecial Parliament Session Likely This Month To Pass Women's Quota, Delimitation Bills

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.