BJP could gain 14 seats from constituency delimitation

A recent analysis shows that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could have gained additional seats in the Lok Sabha if constituencies had been delimited based on the 2011 Census. The analysis suggests the BJP could have gained 14 extra seats in 2019 and six more in 2024 through this process. Delimitation refers to redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies. This could shift political power from non-BJP parties, particularly in southern states, to the BJP in the heartland of India. For example, states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala would see reductions in their parliamentary seats, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar would gain more. The findings indicate that the BJP's support is concentrated in key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. This trend could diminish the influence of regional parties and southern states in national politics. The BJP is not likely to pursue delimitation immediately, as it requires a constitutional process linked to the census after 2026. For the Opposition parties, the data raises concerns about their chances against the BJP. If they struggle to gain support in heartland states, it could increase the BJP's ability to secure a majority with fewer states. The analysis highlights the potential for geographical divides to affect national unity, as a more evenly distributed Parliament could enhance social cohesion.