AP likely to gain 12-13 Lok Sabha seats after delimitation

Vijayawada: A major political and electoral transformation is on the horizon for Andhra Pradesh, as the Centre prepares for a nationwide delimitation exercise that is expected to significantly increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The move, based on population data from the 2011 Census, could reshape Andhra Pradesh's parliamentary landscape ahead of the 2029 general elections. Curiously, all three major political parties from the state — TDP, Janasena and YSRCP — have made up their minds to extend their support to the Bills in the Parliament special session, notwithstanding the strong opposition raised by parties in other southern states — Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.At present, Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats, a number fixed after the bifurcation of the state in 2014. Under the proposals being discussed, the state could gain an additional 12 to 13 seats, taking the total tally to around 37 or 38 constituencies. This expansion is part of a broader national plan to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to nearly 816-850 seats, aimed at ensuring more proportional representation in line with population growth.Similarly, AP's Assembly seats are likely to be increased to 262-263 from the existing 175. The Centre, in the AP Reorganisation Act, promised to increase Assembly seats to 225. However, under the new proposal, the Centre is likely to give a substantial increase.The delimitation process will involve redrawing constituency boundaries based on the 2011 population figures, when the state had around 4.95 crore people. Regions such as Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, the Godavari districts, Krishna, Guntur, Anantapur and Chittoor are likely to see changes in representation. Some previously abolished constituencies, including Tenali, may also be revived or restructured as part of the exercise.A key highlight of the proposed expansion is the implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament. With the increased number of seats, Andhra Pradesh could elect around 12 to 13 women MPs, a sharp rise from the current three — Daggubati Purandeswari, Byreddi Sabari and Gumma Tanuja Rani. The delimitation exercise is expected to integrate this quota by earmarking specific constituencies for women candidates.Move to reshape AP politicsSocial representation will also play a crucial role. The Scheduled Caste population in the state stands at about 84.69 lakh, currently represented by four reserved seats — Bapatla, Amalapuram, Tirupati and Chittoor — while the Scheduled Tribe population of around 27.40 lakh has one reserved constituency in Araku. District-wise demographic concentrations will guide the allocation of SC and ST reserved seats, alongside the inclusion of women's reservation. Krishna and West Godavari districts are likely to get one SC reserved constituency each.The exercise will be carried out by the Delimitation Commission of India, which will assess population distribution, administrative convenience and geographical continuity while finalising boundaries. The use of 2011 Census data has triggered debates nationally, particularly among southern states, but in Andhra Pradesh, the move is largely seen as an opportunity to enhance political representation.Beyond numbers, the proposed increase is expected to open up new political avenues, enable more focused governance and improve access between elected representatives and citizens. While the final contours — names, boundaries and exact seat count — will emerge after detailed surveys and public consultations, the expansion signals a significant shift in Andhra Pradesh's parliamentary footprint, strengthening its voice in national decision-making. =