Centre likely to convene special Parliament session from August 17 for key Bills

The Centre is considering convening a special session of Parliament soon after the Monsoon Session concludes on August 13 to take up the Delimitation Bill and the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, according to government sources. The move comes despite repeated disruptions that have affected much of the ongoing Monsoon Session.

According to sources cited by India Today, the government may call a three-day special session from August 17. Sources further indicated that Parliament may not be prorogued after August 13, allowing the government to reconvene both Houses at short notice. The timing of the proposed session is expected to depend on whether the ruling side is able to secure the numbers required to pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Govt works to secure special majority

Government sources said the Centre is working towards securing the mandatory two-thirds majority needed to clear the proposed legislation. Once the required numbers are in place, a special session could be called to move the bills.

The Delimitation Bill was introduced along with the Women's Reservation Bill under the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill during the three-day special session held in April. However, the proposal failed to pass after the BJP-led NDA fell short of the special majority required in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Numbers improve after political shifts

Since then, the political arithmetic in Parliament has changed. The BJP's position in both Houses has strengthened following the Trinamool Congress's setback in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The special majority required stands at 360 members in the Lok Sabha and 164 in the Rajya Sabha, and the gap to those figures has narrowed.

The Centre is also said to be exploring additional support to improve its chances of passing the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

DMK's role remains uncertain

Following political developments after the Assembly elections and the reported differences between MK Stalin and the Congress, the BJP is also looking at the possibility of support from the DMK's 22 Lok Sabha MPs.

However, the party's position on delimitation remains a key question. While in power in Tamil Nadu, the DMK had strongly opposed the issue and made it a major political campaign point. Given that backdrop, it remains unclear whether the party would support the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill if it is brought before Parliament.