Delimitation bill LIVE: South share won't be reduced, says Amit Shah

Modi, Macron speak; seek urgent restoration of Strait of Hormuz normalcy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed the situation in West Asia, with both emphasising the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X about his telephonic conversation with Macron, Modi said, "We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond." On March 5, Modi and Macron had spoken over the phone and discussed their "shared concerns" over the evolving situation in West Asia, and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

"Received a phone call from my dear friend President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in West Asia and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the PM said.  

Lok Sabha debate to run till 11 PM, resume at 11 AM

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha will stretch late into the night on Thursday, with the ongoing discussion scheduled to continue until 11 pm.

Shah says Lok Sabha seats to rise to 816, cap set at 850

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday outlined key provisions of the proposed delimitation framework, indicating that while the Bill sets an upper limit on the size of the Lok Sabha, the immediate increase would be more limited.

He said the legislation caps the strength of the House at 850 members, but clarified that the actual expansion following the current exercise would be lower.

“The Bill is capping the strength of Lok Sabha at 850 members,” Shah said, adding that “the actual hike in seats after the current Delimitation Bill is passed would actually be from 543 to 816.”

He also addressed concerns around how the delimitation process would take effect, stressing that it would not be automatic upon the Commission completing its work.

“The Delimitation Commission's report will only be implemented after Parliament passes it and the President approves it,” he said, underlining the role of legislative and executive oversight in the process.

Shah’s remarks came amid an ongoing debate in Parliament, with the Opposition raising questions over the scale, timing and implications of the proposed changes to parliamentary representation.

Southern states will not face a dip in seats after delimitation: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sought to counter concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise, telling Parliament that southern states would not see any significant reduction in their share of representation.

“There is a misconception being spread that the share of the south will be reduced substantially if this Delimitation Bill is passed,” Shah said, before laying out state-wise projections to support his claim.

He pointed to marginal shifts across key states, adding that Karnataka’s share would move from 5.15 percent to 5.14 percent, while Andhra Pradesh would see a slight increase. Telangana and Tamil Nadu, he said, would also register incremental gains, with Kerala’s share rising as well.

“The south collectively has 23 percent share now and it will be approximately 24 percent after delimitation,” he said.

Shah said he was placing this interpretation before the House as an assurance, even as Opposition members questioned the absence of such details in the Bill itself.

“This is the interpretation of the Delimitation Bill and I am placing this on the table of the House as my assurance,” he said, adding that he would address the issue more fully in his detailed reply.

He also pushed back against concerns around caste enumeration.

“Another misconception being spread is that caste census will not be

Shah to give detailed reply tomorrow, offers clarifications today

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said he would respond in detail to the ongoing debate in Parliament on Friday, while offering brief clarifications to address concerns raised during the day’s proceedings.

Speaking amid a charged discussion, Shah indicated that a comprehensive reply would follow, but added that certain points needed immediate attention to avoid misinterpretation outside the House.

He said the government was mindful of the issues flagged by members and did not want “any confusion in the country” after the debate.

The remarks came as the Centre and the Opposition traded sharp arguments over the scope and intent of the proposed legislation, with several leaders questioning both the timing and provisions of the Bills.

Priyanka Gandhi urges immediate women’s quota in Lok Sabha

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday questioned the Centre’s approach to implementing women’s reservation, urging the government to move ahead without linking it to future exercises such as delimitation.

“Why can't a 33 per cent reservation be given in the current 543 members of the Lok Sabha. If you are not scared of losing your seats, then let some people lose their seats and implement this now with the current strength of the Lok Sabha,” she said during a discussion in Parliament.

Priyanka argued that the government’s intent was open to doubt, suggesting that the timing and structure of the proposal raised larger political questions.

“If the Prime Minister were bringing these Bills with honesty, the whole Parliament would have stood by him,” she said, adding that the issue should have drawn consensus across party lines.

She went on to accuse the Centre of using the proposal for political gain rather than prioritising substantive change.

“…he is using the women of this country to further his own political aspirations while compromising the integrity and unity of the country and the interests of the women,” she said.

Calling for immediate action, Priyanka urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the approach.

“Even now, you can make a decision. I appeal to the Prime Minister. Take the right decision,” she said.

Priyanka Gandhi alleges “assault on democracy” over Bills

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday delivered a sharp critique of the Centre in Parliament, accusing it of steadily weakening democratic institutions through recent legislative and procedural changes.

“The beginning to destroy democracy was already made by changing the rules for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner, compromising the Election Commission and the SIR,” she said, alleging that earlier moves had already set the stage for deeper institutional erosion.

Escalating her attack, Priyanka said the latest set of Bills represented a more direct threat.

“These Bills are now an open assault to end democracy,” she said, framing the proposed legislation as part of a broader political strategy.

She also took aim at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting that the government’s approach was deliberate and coordinated.

“The Union home minister has the full program ready to destroy democracy. He is sitting here and smiling. He agrees with what I am saying,” she said.

In a pointed remark, Priyanka invoked a historical comparison often associated with Shah.

“If Chanakya were alive today, he too would be shocked seeing what the Home Minister… is planning,” she said, referring to the ancient strategist frequently cited in political discourse.

Her comments come amid an intensifying standoff between the government and the Opposition over the scope and intent of the proposed laws.

Priyanka Gandhi questions Govt’s motive on women's reservation Bills

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday questioned the Centre’s framing of the women’s reservation debate, arguing that the government was presenting a selective account while sidestepping larger concerns tied to the proposed Bills.

“The Prime Minister, in his speech, repeatedly talked about the background of women's reservation and how it was delayed for 30 years. I want to give them a background, too. In 1930, it was Motilal Nehru who prepared the first report on equal rights for women,” she said, linking the origins of the policy to early constitutional thinking.

She pointed to the role of past Congress governments in advancing quotas at the local level, while taking aim at the BJP’s position during earlier debates.

“The PM spoke about how that amendment was also opposed but… did not say who opposed it then. It was the BJP,” she said.

Referring to more recent developments, Priyanka said her party had backed the 2023 law but questioned the intent behind the current proposals.

“The truth, however, is that the Bills today are not about women's reservation. The agenda is very different,” she said.

She also raised concerns over delimitation and representation.

“A grave injustice will be done… if its representation is not addressed,” she said, adding that key provisions, including a proposed seat increase, were not reflected in the Bill.

Venugopal alams Govt over delimitation, alleges “political intent”

Congress MP K. C. Venugopal on Thursday launched a pointed attack on the Centre over the proposed delimitation exercise, questioning both its timing and intent during a debate in Parliament.

“In his entire speech, the Prime Minister did not mention anything about the Delimitation Bill, which is part of the Bills, brought today. He spoke only of women reservation which has already become part of the Constitution in 2023... This is complete drama by the Prime Minister. We can understand drama by Kiren Rijiju but drama even by the Prime Minister,” Venugopal said.

He pressed the government on the delayed rollout of women’s reservation, noting that Parliament had cleared it three years ago but tied implementation to a post-2026 Census.

“You could have implemented reservation in 2024 itself if it was not for that provision… Why did you not let implementation happen in 2024?” he asked.

Turning to the broader legislative process, Venugopal accused the Centre of sidelining the Opposition.

“You are saying today this is an important constitution amendment. You want Opposition to co-operate… Was it not your responsibility to take Opposition into confidence,” he said.

He also questioned the decision to introduce the Bills during elections.

“Why could you not wait for 10 more days… Your intention is only political,” he said, urging the government to withdraw the proposals and hold wider consultations.

NCP (SP) MP Amol Ramsing Kolhe says the delay denied women seats

NCP (SP) MP Amol Ramsing Kolhe on Thursday said the current debate on women’s reservation could have been avoided if the law passed earlier had been implemented without delay.

Speaking in Marathi in the Lok Sabha, Kolhe pointed out that the measure had already received parliamentary approval. “This Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023 itself, and parties requested it be implemented in 2024,” he said, arguing that timely execution would have changed the composition of the House by now. He added that, in that scenario, women MPs would already be participating in proceedings rather than the issue being revisited.

He then turned to concerns around delimitation, warning of its potential impact on representation. “With high migration towards cities and metros, urban areas in the country would have higher representation compared to rural areas in the delimitation process,” he said.

Kolhe cautioned that such a shift could leave key sections underrepresented. “Farmers and labourers might not get adequate representation,” he added.