Thiruvalla (Kerala), April 4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the number of Lok Sabha seats would not be reduced in South Indian states that have successfully controlled population growth, and that the total number of seats would increase to benefit states across the country.
Addressing an NDA Assembly election rally here, Modi said that the Parliament session has been extended to April 16–18 to pass amendments to the law ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which adjourned on Thursday, will reconvene on April 16 for three days to take up legislation, including increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 to implement women's reservation.
Modi said that the extension will also safeguard South Indian states from losing any seats despite their success in population control.
"There are false rumors being spread that seats will be reduced in South Indian states due to population control, but this is completely untrue. Parliament will take steps to ensure that their seats are fully protected.
"States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Telangana, and others that have done well in population control must not lose any Lok Sabha seats, even if their population growth is lower," the prime minister said.
Modi's statement came after the Congress targeted the BJP by raising the delimitation issue, arguing that the southern states, which have effectively controlled their populations, should not be "punished" with fewer parliamentary seats.
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