Govt seeks to bring back delimitation Bill, push joint polls by 2029, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• The government is planning to revive the delimitation Bill and introduce the One Nation One Election Bill before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
• The BJP aims to achieve this by reaching out to regional parties, particularly after its performance in West Bengal.
• The Union Home Ministry is preparing a new delimitation Bill after the previous attempt failed to gain the required majority in April.
• The One Nation One Election Bill is currently under review by a 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), with a report expected soon.

Detailed Insights:

• The renewed push for the delimitation Bill follows recent Assembly elections that have altered political dynamics, particularly affecting the TMC and DMK.
• The BJP is reportedly in contact with the DMK, proposing changes to the One Nation One Election Bill to address the party's concerns and seek support.
• The One Nation One Election initiative may be implemented in phases, considering the varying terms of state assemblies, with elections due in seven states in 2027.
• The Opposition INDIA bloc, including the Congress, DMK, and TMC, had previously opposed the delimitation Bill due to concerns about the marginalization of southern states.
• The government has indicated a willingness to amend the delimitation Bill to ensure a uniform increase in Lok Sabha seats across states, addressing concerns about representation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Delimitation: The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to ensure equal representation based on population.
• One Nation One Election: A proposal to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections to be held simultaneously.
• Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC): A committee comprising members of both houses of Parliament, formed to examine specific issues or bills.