The defeat of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha last month has dashed the hopes of political parties in both Telugu states — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — for an increase in the number of Assembly seats.
Yet, the ruling parties in both states are lobbying with the Centre to increase the Assembly seats based on the ongoing 2026 Census, which is expected to be completed by 2027.
On Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and reportedly urged the Centre to implement the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and move forward with increasing Assembly seats in both Telugu states.
Under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, Andhra Pradesh is entitled to an increase of 50 Assembly seats, while Telangana is expected to gain 34 additional seats.
However, the process is linked to the completion of the national Census and the subsequent constituency delimitation exercise.
Sources indicate that the Centre is inclined to proceed with seat enhancement only after the Census process is completed.
Since population enumeration and constituency restructuring are likely to take considerable time, political circles believe the process may not be completed before the 2029 elections.
The 84th Constitutional Amendment, enacted in 2001, froze the existing boundaries and number of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies based on the 1971 Census, delaying large-scale delimitation exercises.
Political calculations are also influencing the debate. With the ruling alliance in Andhra Pradesh comprising three major parties, the number of ticket aspirants is expected to rise significantly by the next election cycle.
Leaders within the coalition believe an increase in Assembly seats could help accommodate more aspirants and boost cadre morale.
However, administrative and constitutional procedures remain lengthy.
The Centre has already informed the Supreme Court, in connection with a petition on the issue, that delimitation in the two states would take place only after the Census.
Before any reorganisation of constituencies can begin, the Union government must appoint a Delimitation Commission.
The commission would then conduct consultations across the states, gather public opinion and issue a final notification.
Given the time required for the exercise, officials and political analysts believe new constituencies are unlikely to come into effect for the 2029 Assembly elections, scheduled around April-May that year.
If the process begins later, the newly reorganised constituencies may become operational only for the 2034 elections, sources said.
