Congress Flags Regional Imbalance Concerns Over Proposed Lok Sabha Expansion Bill

New Delhi, April 2026 : The Congress on Wednesday voiced strong concerns over a proposed Bill to expand the size of the Lok Sabha, warning that such a move could deepen regional imbalances and politically disadvantage southern states.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the proposal through a post on social media platform X, alleging that the government is planning to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha by 50 per cent, along with a proportional rise in the number of seats allocated to each state. He argued that while the proposal may appear equitable on the surface, its long-term implications could be far more complex and uneven.

According to Ramesh, the claim that a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats would ensure fairness across states is misleading. He pointed out that even if the proportional representation remains unchanged initially, the absolute increase in seats would significantly widen the gap between larger and smaller states.

Highlighting the potential impact, he cited the example of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. At present, Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats, while Tamil Nadu has 39. Under the proposed expansion, Uttar Pradesh’s representation could rise to around 120 seats, whereas Tamil Nadu’s would increase to approximately 59. Similarly, Kerala’s strength may grow from 20 to 30 seats, while Bihar’s could rise from 40 to 60.

Ramesh argued that such disparities would cumulatively favour northern states, which already have larger populations, while southern states — which have made significant progress in population control — could see their relative influence diminish. He estimated that southern states might collectively gain around 66 seats, whereas northern states could see an increase of nearly 200 seats, thereby altering the political balance in Parliament.

The Congress leader also warned that the proposed legislation could adversely affect smaller states across the South, Northeast, and West. He accused the central government of moving ahead with the plan unilaterally, without adequate consultation with stakeholders or state governments.

Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had also expressed reservations about the proposal, describing it as a “hidden conspiracy” that could undermine the political standing of southern states. His remarks have added to the growing debate over the issue, with expectations that more regional leaders may raise similar concerns as details of the proposal emerge.

The discussion comes in the backdrop of recent parliamentary developments, including the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

As the proposal to expand the Lok Sabha gains attention, it is likely to trigger a broader national debate on representation, federal balance, and the principles guiding India’s democratic framework.