Govt counters oppn, says South will gain LS seats under new formula

NEW DELHI: Under a formula that proposes to increase the share of all states proportionately and by 50% in Lok Sabha, Kerala's share will rise from 20 to 30, which is seven more than what it would have got under the last "finished" enumeration.

Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will rise from 28 to 42, one more than what would have accrued.Andhra Pradesh, which has 25 seats now, will have 37, again four more than its expected tally. Neighbouring Odisha's representation will rise from 21 to 31, whereas a Census-based exercise would have limited it to 28. Telangana's seats will go up from 17 to 25, in place of 24.With opposition parties upping their ante on the issue, it remains to be seen whether the statement, detailing the gains and rebutting the argument that the bills would reduce the share of the south, will help govt find the numbers it needs in order to reach the two-thirds threshold for the passage of the constitutional amendment bill.Govt sources, however, said an unambiguous statement that the 2011 Census would not be the basis for allocation of Lok Sabha seats and that reference to it was meant for the delimitation of constituencies of state assemblies, would certainly raise the cost for Congress and others should they decide to oppose the legislations meant for enforcement of women's quota in 2029 Lok Sabha polls."They've maintained that they are for women's quota, but are worried that the share of southern states in LS will come down. Once the facts have been laid out, they cannot hide behind the argument," said a govt functionary, adding that BJP was already preparing for a political battle that it would like to force on the issue of women's rights, if the bills don't go through in LS by Friday.