'They are playing tricks': Kharge says INDIA bloc will oppose Centre's delimitation bill

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday declared that opposition parties, united under the INDIA bloc, have resolved to firmly oppose the proposed delimitation bill in Parliament.Speaking to reporters after a crucial meeting of opposition leaders at the Constitution Club, Kharge emphasised the bloc's collective stance. "We are united and have decided to oppose the delimitation bill," he asserted, while expressing concerns over its potential to undermine democratic representation. "We all are in favour of the Women's Reservation Bill. But the way in which they have brought it, we have reservations about that. It is politically motivated. Just to suppress the Opposition parties, the govt is doing this. Though we have supported the Women's Reservation Bill continuously, we insist that the earlier amendments be implemented," said Kharge."They are playing some tricks over delimitation. We all parties should unitedly should fight in Parliament. We will oppose this bill, but we are not against the reservation (for women). The way in which they have put in the bill, be it delimitation, they have not even cleared the census. All powers of the Constitution are being taken by the executive. Mostly, the power which can be exercised by the institutions, the parliament they have given is so that they can change delimitation at any time...They have already deceived us in Assam and J&K," he added.The gathering, attended by key figures from parties like the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, and Aam Aadmi Party, signals renewed coordination ahead of Parliamen session, which begins on April 16. Opposition leaders fear the bill — aimed at redrawing constituency boundaries — could favor Hindi heartland states, diluting southern and eastern states' influence due to population disparities.Kharge accused the BJP-led government of pushing the measure to consolidate power, warning it threatens federalism.The move comes amid escalating political tensions, with the opposition seeking to rally against what it calls "electoral gerrymandering".