“Real issue is delimitation, not women’s quota”: Sonia Gandhi questions timing of special session

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has raised serious concerns over the Centre’s proposed special session of Parliament of India, stating that the core issue is not women’s reservation but the implications of delimitation.
In a detailed article, she cautioned that any exercise to redraw parliamentary constituencies or expand the strength of the Lok Sabha must be guided by fairness and constitutional principles rather than purely numerical considerations. She described the reported approach to delimitation as potentially harmful, warning that it could disturb the balance of representation across states.
Sonia Gandhi also criticised the timing of the proposed session, pointing out that it coincides with ongoing assembly elections in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. She alleged that the move could be politically motivated and aimed at gaining an advantage during the election period.
Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, she noted that the legislation already provides for one third reservation for women in legislatures, to be implemented after the next Census and delimitation process. She questioned why there is now a push to modify timelines and introduce changes through a special sitting instead of broader consultation.
The Congress leader also linked the issue to delays in conducting the national Census, which was due in 2021. She alleged that postponements could impact welfare schemes and representation, citing concerns that outdated population data has affected the reach of programmes like the National Food Security Act.
On delimitation, she warned that states which have successfully controlled population growth could face reduced political influence if seats are reallocated strictly based on population. She added that smaller states may also see their relative representation weaken.
Additionally, she reiterated the demand for extending reservation benefits to women from Other Backward Classes, noting that the current framework does not explicitly include them.
Calling for wider consultation, Sonia Gandhi argued that such significant constitutional matters should be discussed in a regular session of Parliament after elections, ensuring transparency and consensus.