{
  "id": 324137,
  "title": "6 years after NDA exit, Punjab's SAD backs delimitation push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/6-years-after-nda-exit-punjabs-sad-backs-delimitation-push",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T21:29:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/6-years-after-nda-exit-sad-backs-delimitation-push/articleshow/133059180.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Six years after breaking ties with the BJP-led NDA government, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has returned to support the delimitation push in India. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, speaking after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reversed his party's previous opposition to the rollout of the women's reservation law, which was set to take effect from 2029 with a 50% increase in the Lok Sabha's strength. This shift in stance suggests the possibility of the government reviving the Constitution amendment bill soon.\n\nThe SAD's previous departure from the NDA government in September 2020 was due to the Centre's passage of the three farm bills. The DMK, another potential supporter eyed by the government, did not attend the governing party's all-party meeting on delimitation. The NDA is now banking on the support of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) to push the measure forward.\n\nWhile Badal's party has only one MP – his wife Harsimrat, who is a Lok Sabha member – the announcement demonstrates the government's efforts to realign numbers in its favor this time around. A similar exercise was defeated in the last session by a joint opposition, which has since become considerably weakened.\n\nThe government is likely to bring back the delimitation bill, although the timing remains unclear. The joint opposition has been considerably weakened, and the DMK called the move a diversionary tactic, questioning why Chief Minister Vijay Roshan not summoned a meeting on pressing issues such as the Mekedatu dam row. The Congress party within the opposition camp also voiced opposition to the delimitation exercise.\n\nThe developments in the governing BJP-led NDA and opposition camps indicate that the government is bringing back the delimitation bill, which requires two-thirds support in Parliament. However, the timing of the debate remains uncertain, with some lawmakers believing that the Parliament can be summoned after Independence Day to discuss the issue. The ongoing monsoon session is set to conclude on August 13, leaving limited time for the government to pursue its ambitious agenda to raise the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha from the existing 550 to 850.",
  "summary": "Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal now supports the women's reservation law rollout. This move signals the government's potential revival of the Constitution amendment bill. The government is also seeking support from DMK and NCP(SP) for the measure. The bill aims to increase Lok Sabha's strength by fifty percent. Its timing remains uncertain as lawmakers consider summoning Parliament.",
  "key_points": [
    "SAD returns to support delimitation push 6 years after NDA exit",
    "Sukhbir Singh Badal reverses party's opposition to women's reservation law",
    "NDA seeks support from NCP and SP to push delimitation bill"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Alliance on the cards? SAD backs Delimitation Bill day after Badal-PM Modi meet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/alliance-on-the-cards-sad-backs-delimitation-bill-day-after-badal-pm",
        "published": "2026-08-08T10:44:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}