If the NDA government has its way, the number of Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will go up to 52 and that in Telangana will increase to 39 by the next general elections to be held in April 2024.
According to reports in New Delhi, the Narendra Modi government has proposed to increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats from the existing 543 to 1200 in tune with the increased number of voters in the country to 910 million.
Accordingly, the number of Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will go up from the present 25 to 52 – an increase of 27 seats. However, the total percentage of Andhra Pradesh representation will come down from the present 4.6 to 4.3 after the increase.
As regards Telangana, the number of Lok Sabha seats will go up from the existing 17 to 39 – an increase of 22 seats. This will make the Telangana share in the total number of seats to 3.3 percent, as against the present 3.1 percent.
Uttar Pradesh will witness a massive jump in Lok Sabha representation – from the present 80 MP seats to 193 seats – an increase of 113 seats.
Similarly, the number of Lok Sabhs seats in Maharashtra will go up from existing 48 to 117, in Bihar from 40 to 94, in West Bengal from 42 to 92, in Rajasthan from 25 to 65, in Gujarat from 26 to 60 and in Tamil Nadu from 39 to 77.
The Central government, however, appears to be cold in its response to the demand for increase of assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as per the promise made in AP Reorganisation Act.
Andhra Pradesh is asking for an increase of assembly seats from 175 to 225, while Telangana from 119 to 153. The Centre, however, said it could be done only after 2026.