Hyderabad: Even as the chief electoral officer C Sudharshan Reddy clarified that no instructions have been received from the Election Commission of India on delimitation, political parties and experts in Telangana have begun mapping possible scenarios. At the centre of the debate is whether the exercise, if undertaken, will rely on the 2011 Census and how a proposed expansion in seats could reshape the state’s political landscape.If delimitation proceeds on the basis of the 2011 Census and the Centre opts for a 50% increase, Telangana’s assembly constituencies could rise from 119 to around 179–182. Lok Sabha seats may increase from 17 to about 26. A direct 50% jump would take assembly seats to 179, while aligning with the norm of roughly seven assembly segments per parliamentary constituency could push the number closer to 182.Competing projectionsDespite these projections, there is no official exercise yet. However, discussions have intensified as delimitation is being linked nationally to the implementation of the women’s reservation law and a possible expansion of Parliament. Proposals suggest increasing Lok Sabha strength from 543 to around 800-plus seats, with a significant share reserved for women.In Telangana, experts believe the exercise could be conducted district-wise, reflecting the state’s current 33-district structure. Based on the 2011 population of 3.5 crore, the average population per assembly constituency stands at 1.9 lakh, with a permissible variation of 10%. This benchmark could guide the creation of new constituencies.District-level projections indicate uneven expansion. Regions like the erstwhile Warangal, Medak, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda districts may see significant increases in assembly segments, while areas like Khammam may witness only marginal additions. Urban centres, particularly Hyderabad, are expected to gain more seats if population density is prioritised.BRS former MP Boinapally Vinod Kumar termed current projections speculative, asserting that any increase in seats would likely be proportionate across states. “This approach would address earlier concerns in southern states about being disadvantaged due to better population control. If the 2011 Census is used, urban regions like Hyderabad could gain more constituencies,” he said.Two different tracksTwo distinct delimitation tracks are shaping the discourse. Under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Telangana’s assembly strength is mandated to rise from 119 to 153. However, this provision is subject to Article 170 of the Constitution, which freezes seat readjustment until after the first Census post-2026. The Supreme Court, in a 2025 ruling, reaffirmed that this increase cannot be implemented until the constitutional bar is lifted. As a result, Telangana continues with 119 assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats for now.This means the only legally grounded increase for Telangana is the assembly expansion to 153, pending the lifting of the freeze. Any rise of Lok Sabha seats to 26 depends on a broader national delimitation exercise and the formula adopted by Parliament.Reservation patterns are also under discussion. Scheduled Caste seats are likely to be allocated at the district level, while Scheduled Tribe reservations may be determined at the state level based on population concentration. Additionally, the proposed 33% reservation for women could significantly reshape electoral dynamics. Around 60 assembly constituencies may be reserved for women on a rotational basis, potentially alongside a share in Lok Sabha seats.Political implicationsPolitical implications remain contested. One view suggests that an increase in urban constituencies could benefit parties like BJP and BRS, which have stronger urban networks. Conversely, a rural-heavy expansion may favour the Congress.Political analyst professor K Nageswar said that population-based delimitation could widen regional imbalances, noting that northern states already hold a disproportionate share of parliamentary seats. “South has 130 seats, while just UP-Bihar alone have 120. Census-based delimitation would be disastrous. A 50% hike lacks sanctity and seems timed before elections. Any formula will favour high-seat states, widening imbalance. Population-based delimitation risks unrest in the south and strains unity. The 50% increase via 2011 Census appears a calculated middle path.”Beyond numbers, delimitation could trigger structural political shifts. A rise in urban seats would elevate issues such as infrastructure, employment, transport, and urban governance. Women’s reservation would force parties to rethink candidate selection, expanding leadership pipelines across social groups. At the same time, Telangana’s political leadership is expected to push a dual demand: increasing seats within the state while ensuring that southern states do not lose their share in national representation.With no official roadmap yet, the debate remains speculative but consequential, setting the stage for a major political reset once delimitation is formally initiated.
