Did Tharoor Give Centre An Easy Way Out? Congress MP Backs Women’s Quota, But Seeks JPC On Delimitation

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 13:27 IST

Shashi Tharoor backs passing the women's reservation bill but urges a JPC on delimitation, warning it could alter federal balance and hurt southern states' political influence.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s suggestion to pass the women’s reservation bill while referring the contentious delimitation exercise to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has raised questions over whether the Centre has been handed an easier political route to move forward with the Delimitation Bill. Follow Live Updates Here 

Tharoor said the women’s quota legislation should proceed, but cautioned against rushing delimitation, calling for it to be examined by a JPC. However, such committees, while bipartisan, typically have a majority from the ruling party, allowing the government influence over their final recommendations.

Tharoor Flags Risks In Delimitation

Speaking amid the ongoing debate, Tharoor warned the government against pushing through delimitation without wider consultation, drawing parallels with the 2016 demonetisation decision and urging caution.

He said the issue goes beyond administrative redrawing of constituencies and could reshape India’s federal balance. “Delimitation needs careful deliberation," he said, outlining concerns over three key areas — the balance between small and large states, disparities between states that have controlled population growth and those that have not, and the divide between economically stronger and weaker states.

Southern Concerns In Focus

Tharoor’s remarks echo concerns raised by leaders from southern states, who fear that a population-based redistribution of seats could reduce their political influence despite better performance on development and population control.

He argued that such an outcome could send the wrong message by rewarding states that have not met national population goals with greater political weight.

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