New Delhi : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced its support for the Delimitation Bill linked to women’s reservation, a day after party president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The decision was announced on Saturday following a high-level meeting of senior SAD leaders in Chandigarh to deliberate on key issues before Parliament.
SAD Calls for Fair and Equitable Delimitation
Sukhbir Singh Badal said the party supports the government’s proposal for a uniform 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states.
“After detailed deliberations on key issues before Parliament, the Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded a fair and equitable Delimitation that ensures equal representation to all States,” Badal said in a statement.
The SAD president said the party’s position is inspired by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, who emphasized the dignity, equality and equal rights of women.
Badal further stated that women’s reservation and delimitation should be implemented without delay.
Rijiju Welcomes SAD’s Decision
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju welcomed the SAD’s decision, saying it reflected the example set by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Rijiju said the government, political parties and other stakeholders should work together to empower women through fair and equitable delimitation and ensure equal representation.
Women’s Reservation and Delimitation
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, was passed by both Houses of Parliament.
However, its implementation is linked to the completion of a delimitation exercise and the publication of the relevant census figures.
The broader legislative process has also faced challenges, with a related constitutional amendment proposal failing to secure the constitutionally required majority in the Lok Sabha on April 17.
The SAD’s decision to back the proposed delimitation framework could therefore assume significance as political parties debate the future allocation of Lok Sabha seats and the implementation of women’s reservation.
SAD’s Position
The party has emphasized that any delimitation exercise should ensure fair representation for all states while maintaining the principle of equality.
SAD’s support adds to the political momentum around the government’s proposed framework for expanding Lok Sabha representation and implementing women’s reservation.
The development comes amid wider discussions in Parliament over electoral representation, federal balance and the long-pending implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures.
