Parliament Winter Session likely in the first week of December

The Winter Session of the Parliament will likely begin in first week of December, with the government focusing on a passage of the proposed delimitation bill that is linked with women's reservation, according to a report by news agency PTI. 

The report, citing sources, said the government's top priority for the Winter Session would be seeking the passage of the Constitution amendment bill that would expand the Lok Sabha's strength to 850 from the existing 543 following delimitation. This would also pave the way for implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures before the 2029 Lok Sabha



elections.

The Constitution amendment bill would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. This means it would need 361 votes for passage. At present, the Lok Sabha has 540 members, with three vacancies. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has 320 members. Therefore, it might require some cross voting or support of opposition parties for the bill's passage.

However, the NDA has been boasting lately that it has the required numbers for the bill's passage. A senior government functionary has told PTI that the bill would be passed with a margin of 15 to 18 votes.