‘Up By 50%’: Amit Shah Explains Why Southern States Won’t Lose Out In Lok Sabha After Delimitation

Union home minister Amit Shah said the proposed expansion of the Lok Sabha is designed to maintain, and even slightly enhance, the proportionate power of the south

Union home minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the special session of Parliament, in New Delhi on April 16, 2026. (Image: Sansad TV/PTI)

Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday explained why the expansion of the Lok Sabha will protect regional representation, with special focus on southern states, following a delimitation exercise.

In a short response during a special session in Parliament to discuss the women’s reservation and delimitation bills, Amit Shah tried to quell concerns about delimitation, saying it will not result in a loss of political influence for the southern states.

Amid a flurry of debate surrounding the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, Shah said the proposed expansion of the Lok Sabha is designed to maintain, and even slightly enhance, the proportionate power of the south.

WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL?

According to Shah, the Centre has proposed the expansion of the Lok Sabha from its current 543 seats to a new total of 816 seats.

This figure represents an exact 50 percent increase and, within this expanded framework, Shah said the combined representation of the five southern states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala – will rise from the current 129 to 195 seats. Addressing what he called the “false narrative” that southern states will be penalised for their successful population control measures, he provided a detailed statistical breakdown to demonstrate that their share of power will remain stable.

At present, the five southern states account for 23.76 percent of the Lok Sabha. Under the new 816-seat model, their collective share is projected to rise to 23.90 percent, or approximately 24 percent of the House.

He said this proportionate increase will hold true for each individual state within the region.

WHAT HAPPENS TO EACH STATE?

Shah provided specific figures for each state to illustrate how the 50 percent increase will be applied across the board.

Let’s take a look at the new proposal:

Tamil Nadu: From 39 to 59 seats

Karnataka: From 28 to 42 seats

Andhra Pradesh: From 25 to 38 seats

Telangana: From 17 to 26 seats

Kerala: From 20 to 30 seats

He said while some earlier bill drafts mentioned a maximum of 850 seats, the central government has fixed the final number at 816 to maintain this precise 50 percent growth pattern.

WHAT DID AMIT SHAH SAY ABOUT CASTE CENSUS?

Beyond seat counts, Shah addressed the critical issue of demographic data by confirming that the government has decided to conduct a caste census.

He said this exercise will not be a standalone process but will be carried out alongside the standard population enumeration. Responding to demands from the opposition, he said the government has already taken the decision to ensure comprehensive data is collected.

The home minister said while the counting of households is underway, these initial stages do not involve caste identification as “households do not have any caste”.

WHAT ABOUT WOMEN’S RESERVATION?

The changes also include the landmark introduction of a women’s reservation quota, which will reserve one-third of the expanded legislature – 272 seats – for women.

But Shah was clear that this reservation will only be implemented starting with the 2029 general elections. Until then, all elections, including the 2027 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, will be conducted under the present system.

He sought to reassure the House that the delimitation exercise will be free from political manipulation and stressed the NDA government has made no changes to the existing legal frameworks governing the process.

“The delimitation bill is exactly like the previous law brought by your government,” Shah told the opposition, adding that there is “no change, not even a comma or a full stop” in the legal text.

He said this adherence to established law is intended to ensure that the transition to a larger Lok Sabha is fairly handled and without providing any undue regional advantages.

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