SDPI Opposes Politically Driven Lok Sabha Expansion, Demands Caste Census and Sub Quotas

MK Faizy, National President of the Social Democratic Party of India, unequivocally rejects the Union Government’s reported proposal to expand the Lok Sabha and introduce women’s reservation in its present form, terming it a politically driven exercise aimed at electoral gains rather than a genuine commitment to justice and inclusive representation for women, particularly those from marginalized communities. The proposal to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from five hundred and forty three to eight hundred and sixteen seats, with two hundred and seventy three constituencies reserved for women, is being advanced at a strategically convenient moment ahead of crucial assembly elections. The consultations led by Home Minister Amit Shah with select opposition leaders and National Democratic Alliance allies, while excluding broader democratic participation, indicate a clear attempt to use women’s representation as a tool for electoral consolidation, especially when non BJP parties govern key states such as West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

The party asserts that this move cannot be presented as the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam passed in two thousand and twenty three. The Act made reservation contingent upon a fresh census and delimitation exercise, both of which have been deliberately delayed. The attempt to rely on outdated two thousand and eleven census data undermines democratic fairness and ignores significant demographic changes. Without a comprehensive caste based census, equitable representation is impossible, and Muslim women along with other marginalized sections will remain excluded unless enforceable sub quotas are clearly incorporated.

The decision to add new constituencies without altering the existing seats exposes an unwillingness to challenge entrenched male dominance, protecting sitting incumbents while projecting an illusion of reform. Experience from local bodies shows that numerical reservation alone cannot ensure genuine empowerment without addressing deeper structural barriers. The Social Democratic Party of India reiterates that meaningful reform must include inner party democracy, financial support for women from weaker sections, and safeguards against political violence. The party urges the Union Government to abandon this politically motivated exercise, convene a comprehensive all party consultation under the Prime Minister, and ensure that any delimitation and reservation framework is based on updated, inclusive data and constitutional principles of equality and justice.