SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to emerge as a key beneficiary if the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats for Union Territories is cleared by Parliament, with both expected to secure a major share of the additional constituencies.
As per proposals under discussion, the total Lok Sabha seats for Union Territories could rise from the existing 19 to 35, adding 16 new seats. The move comes alongside the Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills introduced in Parliament, which are currently under debate and expected to be taken up for voting shortly.
At present, Delhi has the highest representation among UTs with seven Lok Sabha seats, followed by Jammu and Kashmir with five seats. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have two seats, while Ladakh, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Andaman Nicobar Islands have one seat each.
Given their larger population and voter base, Delhi and Jammu Kashmir are expected to corner a substantial portion of the additional seats. Political observers believe that smaller UTs may see limited or no increase due to low population, potentially leaving the majority of new seats for these two regions.
Estimates suggest that Jammu and Kashmir could see its Lok Sabha seats rise from five to around nine or ten, subject to the final decision of the Delimitation Commission. The existing constituencies include Udhampur-Doda-Kathua, Jammu-Reasi, Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla.
As per the proposed framework, one-third of the total Lok Sabha seats will be reserved for women, and the same reservation is expected to be implemented in Assembly elections as well.
The changes are likely to come into effect by 2029, with Lok Sabha elections scheduled in April-May followed by Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir later that year.
In addition to parliamentary representation, the strength of the JK Legislative Assembly may also witness a significant increase. If a similar expansion formula is applied, the Assembly could have around 135 seats, with nearly 44 to 45 seats reserved for women.
The Centre is also considering increasing the number of nominated members in the Assembly from five to seven, including representation for women, Kashmiri migrants and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) refugees.
Currently, the Assembly has provision for 114 seats, including 24 reserved for PoJK, while 90 seats are directly elected. However, nominations to the Assembly have not been made so far and remain subject to legal scrutiny.
Notably, unlike the previous delimitation exercise post-2019, there are no fixed restrictions this time on the number of seats, leaving scope for a broader restructuring based on population and representation needs. (KNC)
