The first day of discussions on bills to expand the House of Representatives and accelerate the quota for women highlighted the presence of lawmakers, raising some concerns in both the ruling coalition and the opposition ahead of the crucial vote on Friday.
Constitution Amendment Bill No. 131 requires a two-thirds majority in each chamber. The bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday by a vote of 251-185.
The Opposition needs at least 181 votes to reject the Constitution Amendment Bill on Friday, and non-Congress parties like the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will be key.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders said the absence was largely due to ongoing election campaigning. Party MP Sanjay Jaiswal, who missed Thursday’s session, said he was campaigning in Murshidabad in West Bengal. “Many of us were in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to attend the elections, but everyone will be present on Friday. Despite the opposition’s tall claims, the bill will be passed with the required majority,” he said.
On Thursday, only four of the TMC’s 28 members of parliament attended the session. TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar defended the turnout, saying the members were engaged in electoral duties. “I was also scheduled to campaign but I attended as I had to speak on the bills. If necessary, all MPs will be present to vote,” she said, adding that colleagues had been alerted to the importance of the upcoming division.
The issue was discussed in opposition meetings, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi warning that such absences could inadvertently help the BJP push controversial proposals, said the DMK leader, who attended the meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Karg on Wednesday.
Samajwadi Party MP Uddevir Singh said his party was in full attendance. “All our representatives were present on Thursday, and we will maintain our 100% strength on Friday because we are committed to opposing the bill,” he said.
A member of Congress said that some colleagues were absent for medical reasons, but stressed that attendance would improve. “We expect full force on Friday. All opposition MPs must be present,” said the leader, who requested to remain anonymous.
