NPF backs women’s reservation but flags delimitation imbalance, warns Nagaland may miss representation gains amid proposed Lok Sabha expansion plans
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DIMAPUR — Even as national debate intensifies over women’s reservation and delimitation, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday extended support to the proposed 33% quota for women but raised concerns over what it termed an emerging “imbalance” in parliamentary representation.
In a press communiqué, the party stated that it firmly supports reservation of seats for women in state legislatures and Parliament, provided it is implemented in a “fair, just and equitable manner.”
Highlighting its own track record, the NPF pointed out that the only two women MLAs in the present Nagaland Legislative Assembly—the first in the state’s history—belong to the party, underscoring its commitment to gender inclusion.
However, the party sounded a note of caution over the proposed delimitation exercise, pointing to reports that the strength of the Lok Sabha could increase from 543 to around 813 seats as part of upcoming electoral reforms.
Citing media projections, the NPF stated that the redistribution of seats is likely to favour high-population states, while Nagaland and most other Northeastern states—except Assam—may see little or no increase in representation.
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“This raises serious concerns over regional balance, equity and federal fairness,” the party stated.
The NPF reiterated that Nagaland remains “grossly underrepresented” in Parliament, with just one seat each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha despite being among the older states in the region.
It argued that several states with similar or smaller populations enjoy greater representation, pointing to a continuing democratic imbalance.
The party also expressed displeasure over what it described as a lack of consultation, stating that despite being a senior NDA partner, it was neither engaged nor informed prior to the introduction of the proposals in Parliament.
“It is a matter of concern that details of such significant reforms were known primarily through media reports, with no clear assurance of increased representation for Nagaland,” the statement read.
The NPF further questioned the role of the state’s two Members of Parliament, citing their “silence” on the issue and asserting that it was their responsibility to strongly articulate Nagaland’s concerns at the national level.
Reaffirming its stand, the party stated that it would continue to push for equitable representation while safeguarding the rights and aspirations of the Naga people.