Delimitation, democracy, and emerging north–south divide: Is federal structure at risk?

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* 

India, already strained by religious polarization, now faces a new and potentially more destabilizing divide—the North–South fault line. At the centre of this debate are three proposed legislations by the Modi government: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Law (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Introduced amid state elections and global tensions such as the Iran–US crisis, these proposals could reshape the democratic framework and test the resilience of federalism.

The government seeks to amend Article 81 to expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats—815 for states and 35 for Union Territories. The stated rationale is the implementation of women’s reservation, with officials warning that delays would hinder representation. Yet critics argue that without a recent census, any redistribution based on population is flawed. The last census was conducted more than a decade ago, leaving the exercise inherently contentious.

Delimitation, the redrawing of constituency boundaries, is mandated under Article 82 and entrusted to an independent commission after each census. Historically, exercises were carried out in 1952, 1963, and 1973. During the Emergency, seat allocation was frozen based on the 1971 Census to encourage population control, a freeze later extended until 2026 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The current proposal revives the debate over whether representation should be based solely on population or also account for governance and economic performance.

If seats are allocated strictly by population, northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan could gain significantly, potentially crossing 200 seats collectively. Southern states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana—despite better population control and stronger economic indicators, would see their share decline. Representation from the Hindi heartland could rise from 38% to 43%, while the South’s share may fall from 24% to 20%. This paradox penalises states that succeeded in curbing population growth.

Southern leaders warn that such a shift undermines cooperative federalism. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has invoked historical agitations, while Telangana’s Revanth Reddy has argued for a formula that considers both population and economic contribution. Their concern is that a Parliament dominated by one region could marginalise others, weakening the balance federalism was designed to protect.

The government insists the urgency stems from women’s reservation, but critics see this as a strategic cover for structural change. Opposition leaders, including Kapil Sibal, have questioned the timing and intent, stressing the need for updated data, transparency, and broader consultation. The independence of the Delimitation Commission itself has come under scrutiny, with fears of bias given its composition and lack of guaranteed regional representation.

The timing of these bills, coinciding with elections, has raised suspicions of political calculation. Analysts suggest the move could consolidate advantage in northern states, where the ruling party enjoys stronger support, while offsetting weaker performance in the South.

Alternatives have been proposed. A proportional increase model would maintain existing ratios while expanding seats. Strengthening the Rajya Sabha, with equal representation for states akin to the U.S. Senate, could balance disparities. Others advocate a formula that incorporates both population and GDP contribution, rewarding governance and development alongside demographic size.

India now faces a defining moment. Delimitation is necessary for a growing democracy, but the method and timing must inspire confidence rather than deepen division. Without transparency, updated data, and consensus, these reforms risk eroding trust in the federal structure. If pursued equitably, they could modernise representation and strengthen democratic values. The choice will determine whether India emerges more united or more divided in the years ahead.

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*Feelance content writer and editor based in Nagpur; co-founder, TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media