New Delhi, April 16 (IANS): The Union government on Thursday introduced and initiated discussion on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, even as Opposition members in the Lok Sabha pressed for a division before the move.
Out of 333 Lok Sabha MPs present, 207 voted in favour and 126 against the introduction of the Bill. This has triggered a high-stakes legislative showdown in the Lok Sabha as Parliament convened a three-day special session.
When the legislation is put to a vote after the debate, it will need approval by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting. The current strength of the Lok Sabha is 540, since three seats are vacant. This means that if all members are present and voting on Friday, at least 360 positive mandates are required for the Bill to pass.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently holds around 292 seats in the Lok Sabha, giving it a working majority. The Opposition INDIA bloc and its allies hold about 229 seats, while other parties hold 12.
Additionally, seven independent MPs were elected to the Lok Sabha.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with 240 members, is the principal constituent of the NDA, followed by the Telugu Desam Party with 16, and Janata Dal (United) at 12.
Among the Opposition bloc, parties with double-digit representation include the Congress at 98, the Samajwadi Party at 37, Trinamool Congress at 28, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at 22 seats.
Others include the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the Aam Aadmi Party, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
This numerical balance sets the stage for a fierce contest over the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Jammu & Kashmir Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, all scheduled for voting in the ongoing special Parliament session.
