Delimitation requires fresh census, says Congress MP

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has stressed that the delimitation process cannot move forward without a new census. He pointed to a constitutional amendment made by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002, which states that delimitation should only occur after the first census following 2026. This means delimitation is on hold until 2031. Ramesh expressed concern about the ongoing delays in carrying out the census and how it affects representation in Parliament. He stated that the Congress party had raised questions about the census in Parliament, noting it has been four years since the last one. He highlighted the need for delimitation in relation to women's reservation and the allocation of Lok Sabha seats but emphasized that states should not be penalized for successful family planning efforts. He cautioned that if the delimitation proceeded with the 2025 estimated population, many states could lose representation due to lower populations. Ramesh argued that penalizing states for reducing fertility rates is unacceptable. Additionally, Ramesh criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks about Rahul Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha. He suggested that the BJP is feeling threatened by Gandhi's influence and the questions he raises regarding people's issues, particularly through his Bharat Jodo initiatives. He argued that Gandhi connects with various communities that often lack access to high-ranking officials.