Sharad Pawar-Led NCP Signals Conditional Support for NDA’s Delimitation Bill

The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) has indicated it may extend support to the Centre’s proposed Delimitation Bill, provided the legislation guarantees an equal 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for every state. If the party ultimately backs the proposal, it would mark a significant departure from the broader Opposition’s stance on the issue.

The development comes amid growing political speculation after reports of meetings involving senior leaders from both NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The discussions have also fuelled renewed chatter about a possible thaw between the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar camps.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule clarified that the party’s final decision would depend entirely on the contents of the bill presented in Parliament.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP is expected to support the proposed bills despite remaining outside the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

She said the party would support the legislation if the Centre clearly ensured a uniform 50% increase in parliamentary representation across all states and laid out a transparent implementation framework. According to Sule, the proposal must guarantee that no state is placed at a disadvantage through the delimitation exercise.

The party’s position reflects assurances previously made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had stated during parliamentary discussions that the government was prepared to consider amendments ensuring equal growth in Lok Sabha seats across states. Shah had argued that such a formula would maintain balanced representation while avoiding losses for any state.

The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill seeks to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats and facilitate the implementation of women’s reservation. However, the legislation did not secure the required two-thirds majority when it was taken up in the Lok Sabha earlier this year.

Addressing reports of recent meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Sule dismissed suggestions of secret political negotiations. She explained that senior NCP leader Jayant Patil had formally sought an appointment with the Chief Minister to discuss administrative issues concerning action taken against one of the party’s municipal council leaders.

The political debate intensified after senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram alleged that the BJP was attempting to win the support of regional parties, including the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the DMK, for the constitutional amendment. Chidambaram argued that delimitation based on existing population formulas could adversely affect states that had successfully implemented population control measures.

The Union government is expected to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on July 20. The response of regional parties, including the NCP (SP), is likely to play a crucial role in determining the future of the legislation.