'Political Demonetisation': Shashi Tharoor Opposes Linkage Of Women’s Quota To Delimitation

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 13:00 IST

Shashi Tharoor slams linking women's reservation to future delimitation, warns it rewards high population growth states and likens the move to "political demonetisation."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday criticised the proposed linkage between women’s reservation in the legislature and delimitation of constituencies, saying that it effectively “holds the aspirations of Indian women hostage" to a highly contentious political process.

He argued that future delimitation could unfairly reward states with higher population growth, questioning whether good governance should lead to reduced political influence.

“… Linking women’s reservation to delimitation effectively holds the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious political exercises in our history… In future delimitations, states that have failed to curb population growth would be rewarded with greater political weight. We must ask if this is the message we wish to send, that governance excellence leads to political irrelevance…," he said in the Lok Sabha.

Drawing a sharp comparison, Tharoor said the government’s approach showed the same haste as the 2016 Demonetisation in the country.

“You have proposed delimitation with such haste, the same haste that you showed on demonetisation. Unfortunately, we all know what damage that did to the country. Delimitation, sir, will turn out to be political demonetisation. Don’t do it…," he added.

News india 'Political Demonetisation': Shashi Tharoor Opposes Linkage Of Women’s Quota To Delimitation

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