The Congress has indicated that it might back amendments to the women's reservation bill, even as it expressed concerns over the government's push for a rushed delimitation exercise.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the party did not want any disturbance in the present differential and relative strength in the Lok Sabha, and that the government's move could have 'dangerous consequences'.
Ramesh added that the party welcomes the amendment to the women's reservation bill but believes that the government should have waited for 15 days more to consult all opposition parties before convening the session.
The budget session is likely to meet on April 16 for amendments to the women's reservation bill, with the government aiming to delink the bill from the ongoing census and roll out the law from 2029 Lok Sabha polls.
However, the Congress has expressed concerns that the government is trying to take advantage of the ongoing elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and that the session could have been called after the polling on April 29.
Ramesh said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will call a meeting next week of Congress lawmakers and Opposition leaders to chalk out a strategy.
The proposed delimitation might be based on a 50% proportionate increase in the number of seats in all states, which the Congress believes is unacceptable as southern, eastern and north eastern states will be at a disadvantage.
