Shillong, Sep 2: The North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD) has called upon all eight Northeastern states to convene special sessions of their legislative assemblies to deliberate on the implications of the proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, NEICFD Convenor Mathiupuang Gonmei urged chief ministers of the region to act unitedly to safeguard long-term political interests, stating that the forthcoming delimitation exercise will be a historic and defining moment that may not recur for another 40-50 years.
The forum said parliamentary representation should not be determined solely by population. The unique circumstances of Northeast India, including its strategic international borders, difficult terrain, tribal and indigenous communities, cultural diversity and constitutional protections, must be taken into account.
It called for adoption of a unanimous resolution seeking constitutional safeguards for enhanced and equitable representation and protection against further political marginalisation of smaller states.
The demands proposed by NEICFD include a minimum of five to seven Lok Sabha seats for every Northeastern state except Assam, irrespective of population, and a minimum of two to three Rajya Sabha seats. For Assam, it sought an increase to 21 Lok Sabha seats from the existing 14 and 11 Rajya Sabha seats from the existing seven.
The forum also demanded that delimitation criteria go beyond population to include national security, geographical terrain, tribal representation, developmental disparities and cooperative federalism.
Flagging urgency, NEICFD noted that though the constitutional amendment bill relating to delimitation did not secure required support during the special session of Parliament in April this year due to opposition from southern states, there is apprehension that if the centre proceeds with an enlarged Lok Sabha with around 50 per cent increase for every state, earlier opponents may reconsider.
If a consensus emerges and the government secures a two-thirds majority, delimitation could move forward rapidly, leaving little time for the Northeast to secure its interests, the statement said.
At present, the Northeast has only 25 Lok Sabha members. Even with a 50 per cent hike, the region would have only 37-38 members, while Uttar Pradesh alone could have 120, leaving the region with a comparatively weak voice, NEICFD pointed out.
Clarifying its stand, the forum said it was not pushing for delimitation before NRC or Census, but feared that the Bill might be passed with or without those exercises while ignoring the genuine demand for enhanced representation if timely action is not initiated before the Bill is reintroduced in a proposed special session of Parliament.
The forum appealed to all chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, MPs and MLAs of the Northeastern states to rise above party affiliations and collectively protect the constitutional and democratic interests of the region.
