Centre Eyes Special Parliament Session Later This Month
The Centre is likely to convene a special session of Parliament later this month to push constitutional amendment bills linked to delimitation and women’s reservation, with government sources claiming that it has the numbers needed to secure their passage in the Lok Sabha.
According to sources, the government is confident of its strength in the Lower House and has begun reaching out to Opposition parties to consolidate support ahead of a possible vote. The proposed session comes amid escalating political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Opposition protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The government is working on the schedule for the special sitting while exploring ways to secure broader backing for the proposed legislation. However, an official date for the session has not yet been announced.
Government Reaches Out to DMK, Smaller Opposition Parties
Sources told India Today that the Centre is in discussions with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as it seeks support for the bills. The outreach follows political changes after the Tamil Nadu elections, including the DMK’s split with the Congress and its subsequent exit from the INDIA bloc, according to the information provided by sources.
The government is also reportedly in touch with smaller Opposition parties in an effort to strengthen its numbers before the proposed legislation comes up for consideration.
The outreach highlights the political importance of securing support for constitutional amendments, which require a special majority in Parliament. Although government sources have expressed confidence about the Lok Sabha numbers, the final outcome will depend on the support available when the bills are put to a vote.
The Centre’s efforts come after an earlier legislative setback, making the proposed session a significant test of its ability to build consensus around the changes.
Earlier Constitution Amendment Bill Was Defeated
The Modi government suffered a setback on April 17 during the Budget Session, when a Constitution amendment bill linked to delimitation and the implementation of women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was defeated in the Lower House.
The latest attempt appears aimed at reviving the legislative push and securing sufficient backing for the proposed constitutional changes.
Delimitation involves the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries. Any proposed changes can carry significant political implications because they may affect the distribution of parliamentary and Assembly constituencies.
Women’s reservation, meanwhile, concerns increasing women’s representation in elected legislatures. The government’s proposed legislative approach links the issue with delimitation, making the two subjects central to the planned constitutional amendments.
The bills’ passage would therefore mark an important step in the government’s legislative agenda. However, the precise provisions to be considered during the proposed special session have not been detailed in the information provided by sources.
BRICS Parliamentary Forum May Influence Session Timing
The timing of the special session is expected to take into account the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, scheduled to be held at Samvidhan Sadan on October 26 and 27.
Government sources indicated that a week’s notice may be given before the special sitting is convened. The final dates are expected to be decided as the government works through the parliamentary schedule and its efforts to secure support.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on August 13, has not yet been prorogued. This leaves open the possibility of convening another sitting without formally ending the existing session, according to the information cited by sources.
The government’s proposed move comes at a time when Parliament remains the focus of political confrontation over electoral-roll revisions and demands for accountability from the Election Commission.
Political Stakes Rise Ahead of Possible Vote
The proposed special session could become a major political test for the Centre as it seeks to advance the delimitation and women’s reservation bills after the earlier defeat.
While government sources maintain that the numbers are in its favour, discussions with the DMK and smaller Opposition parties suggest that securing support remains an important part of the strategy.
With the BRICS Parliamentary Forum approaching and the session date yet to be finalised, attention is likely to focus on the government’s next steps and the response from Opposition parties.
For now, the special session remains a likely plan rather than a formally announced sitting. The government’s confidence about the numbers and its outreach to Opposition parties will be tested once the schedule and legislative agenda are confirmed.
