Centre's move to increase assembly and LS seats by 50 percent, Andhra Pradesh set to have 263 assembly segments

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is poised for a major political overhaul, with the Centre planning to increase Assembly and Lok Sabha seats by nearly 50% as part of the upcoming delimitation exercise, while also implementing 30% reservation for women from the 2029 elections.The details were shared by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a meeting of NDA partners in New Delhi, setting the stage for sweeping electoral reforms. The Centre’s decision is expected to allay concerns among southern states about losing Lok Sabha seats due to lower population growth.Keeping in view the fears expressed by chief ministers of southern states, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the Centre has decided on a uniform 50% increase in seats without altering population ratios. Naidu had earlier also advocated a population management policy.As per the proposal, the number of Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh will rise from 175 to 263 — a significant jump aimed at improving representation. Similarly, the state’s Lok Sabha strength is expected to increase from 25 to 37 or 38 seats, enhancing its role in national politics.In a parallel move, the long-awaited women’s reservation policy is set to be implemented from the 2029 elections. Around 30% of seats in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha are likely to be reserved for women, translating to nearly 87 Assembly seats and 12–13 Lok Sabha seats.The implementation is expected to coincide with the delimitation process, ensuring that both new and existing constituencies are earmarked accordingly. The combined impact of seat expansion and women’s reservation is expected to significantly reshape Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape. With nearly 88 new Assembly constituencies, opportunities for fresh leadership will increase, particularly for women entering active politics.At the national level, the Centre is considering expanding Lok Sabha seats from 543 to over 816, along with a proportionate increase in Assembly seats across states. This move is linked to the delimitation exercise scheduled after the first Census post-2026, as mandated by constitutional provisions.For Andhra Pradesh, which has awaited seat enhancement since the 2014 bifurcation, the development brings renewed momentum. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act had originally provided for an increase in Assembly seats, but the process was kept in abeyance due to the delimitation freeze. The new proposal goes beyond the earlier provision of 225 seats.Experts note that delimitation will not only increase the number of seats but also redraw constituency boundaries based on population, geography, and social justice considerations, including reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The addition of women’s reservation further adds a new dimension, making this one of the most comprehensive electoral reforms in recent decades.With implementation expected around the 2029 general and Assembly elections, political parties in Andhra Pradesh are beginning to recalibrate their strategies. The expansion in seats, combined with mandated women’s representation, is likely to intensify competition and redefine the state’s electoral dynamics for years to come.