Overview
- The government is preparing to table a revised Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and a linked Delimitation Bill in Parliament’s Monsoon Session starting July 20, seeking to raise the Lok Sabha cap to 850 and redraw seats using the 2011 census.
- Sharad Pawar’s NCP has indicated it could give issue‑based support if the text explicitly guarantees a uniform 50% increase in seats for every state, a demand aimed at protecting southern states’ representation.
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has formally asked Prime Minister Modi for an all‑party meeting to study the revised text and the Congress has vowed to oppose the measure unless its concerns are addressed.
- The NDA has stepped up a broad outreach called 'Mission 360' to regional parties to close a reported shortfall of roughly six MPs needed to reach the two‑thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.
- Recent defections, late‑night NCP talks with Maharashtra leaders and talk of mergers have reshaped arithmetic for the vote; the July 19 all‑party meeting and the Monsoon Session will show whether outreach converts into the votes needed to implement women’s reservation early.