The Centre is set to convene a three-day special session of Parliament starting April 16 to pass key Constitution amendment bills, including proposals to expand the Lok Sabha and implement women’s reservation.
According to sources, both Houses will meet on April 16, 17, and 18, with multiple sittings scheduled during this period. Instead of formally ending the current Budget Session, the government has kept it open so it can reconvene for this special legislative agenda.
A major proposal under consideration is to increase the Lok Sabha's strength from 543 to 816 seats. This expansion is closely linked to enabling the implementation of the women’s reservation law, introduced through the Nari Vandan Adhiniyam, which aims to reserve seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Kiren Rijiju confirmed that Parliament would meet again soon to take up an important bill and said that the government has already communicated its plans to opposition parties. The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced first in the Lok Sabha.
The announcement has triggered sharp political reactions. JP Nadda defended the government’s authority to decide when to introduce legislation, while Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the move, accusing the Centre of acting aggressively and seeking political advantage.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the timing of the bill during the ongoing elections is politically motivated. He suggested that an all-party meeting should be held after polling concludes in several states and also questioned the government’s evolving stance on linking the implementation of reservations with the Census and delimitation exercises.
Rejecting these allegations, Rijiju stated that the government is fulfilling its commitment to women and urged opposition parties not to politicise the matter.
Other opposition leaders also expressed concerns. Sanjay Singh accused the government of politicising the issue, while Fauzia Khan sought clarity on whether similar reservations would apply in the Rajya Sabha and legislative councils. Manoj Jha raised questions about sub-quotas for SC, ST, and OBC women.
Additionally, the Congress has argued that a significant increase in Lok Sabha seats could potentially disadvantage smaller states, particularly in southern, northeastern, and western regions, though the government has not officially confirmed any such impact.
The proposed session comes at a politically sensitive time, with elections underway in states such as Puducherry, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, adding further significance to the legislative push.
