Centre begins constituency delimitation using 2011 Census
HYDERABAD: The long-awaited exercise of constituency delimitation has begun. The move is expected to increase the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, widening political opportunities.
As the 2027 Census may face delays, the process will begin using the 2011 population data. Following the Union government’s decision to raise seats by 50 per cent, Assembly constituencies in Telangana are likely to increase from 119 to 182. Lok Sabha seats may rise from 17 to 26.
In numerical terms, a 50 per cent increase in Assembly seats would take the total to 179. However, with the norm of seven Assembly segments for each parliamentary constituency, the state is more likely to have 182 Assembly seats within the limits of 26 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Proposals to implement 33 per cent reservation for women from the next elections may result in 60 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats being reserved for women. The enhanced strength is expected to take effect from the upcoming polls.
New constituencies to remain within single district boundaries
New constituencies will be carved largely within existing district limits. As per the basic rule that an Assembly constituency must fall within one district, districts will be treated as the primary unit for delimitation.
At present, several constituencies spread across two or three districts. The new exercise will restrict boundaries to a single district, leading to additions and changes in many segments. Constituencies represented by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao are also likely to see boundary revisions.
Of the 63 new Assembly segments proposed, a majority may be created in urban regions, including Hyderabad, Medchal and Rangareddy districts.
Population-based distribution to guide delimitation exercise
The state’s population will be distributed almost evenly across constituencies. A margin of 10 per cent above or below the average population per constituency will be allowed.
According to the 2011 Census, Telangana has a population of 3,51,90,260. Based on this, the average population per Assembly constituency will be around 1,93,353, with permissible variation within the 10 per cent range.
A commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will oversee the delimitation. Members from ruling and opposition parties will be included. A final notification will be issued after public consultation on the commission’s proposals.
Uncertainty over method of allocating women’s reservation seats
Clarity is yet to emerge on whether seats reserved for women will be allotted through a lottery or by selecting the most populous constituencies. If population is the criterion, districts where the female population exceeds the male population — such as Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Medak, Sircilla, Bhupalpally, Narayanpet, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Siddipet, Khammam and Vikarabad — may receive a larger share of reserved seats.
District-wise projections of new Assembly constituencies
Adilabad: Five new constituencies may be added to the existing 10. Proposed segments include Adilabad Urban, Utnoor, Mancherial Rural or Luxettipet, and Narsapur (Nirmal), along with another new seat. Boundary changes may shift several mandals between constituencies.
Nizamabad: Three new constituencies are expected in addition to the current five. A new Nizamabad North or South segment and an Edapalli or Bodhan Rural constituency may be carved out. Kamareddy district may also see the creation of a Kamareddy Rural segment.
Karimnagar: The undivided district may gain five more seats, taking the total beyond the present 12. Likely new constituencies include Karimnagar Rural, Jagtial Rural, Metpally, Sultanabad and Yellareddypet in Sircilla district.
Medak: Seven new constituencies may be formed in the undivided Medak district, which currently has 11. Proposals include Ramachandrapuram, Ameenpur and Sadashivpet in Sangareddy district, Ramayampet in Medak district, and Siddipet Rural in Siddipet district.
Nalgonda: Six new constituencies may be created in addition to the present 12. Proposed segments include Miryalaguda Rural and Nalgonda Rural. In Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Ramannapet, Choutuppal or Motkur may emerge as new constituencies. Suryapet district may also gain Suryapet Rural, Munagala and another segment.
Khammam: Two new constituencies may be added to the existing 10, including Raghunathapalem and Khammam Rural. Bhadradri Kothagudem district may see one additional seat.
Warangal: The undivided district may gain nine new constituencies beyond the current 12. Proposed segments include Kazipet, Hasanparthy, Shayampet, Madikonda, Warangal Central, Geesugonda, Mahabubabad Rural, Thorrur and Kataram.
Mahabubnagar: Six new constituencies may be formed, including Mahabubnagar Rural, Gandeed, Kosgi, Amarachintha, Pebber and Aiza. Kodangal, represented by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, may be bifurcated with boundary changes involving several mandals.
Hyderabad region: The number of Assembly constituencies in Hyderabad and the undivided Rangareddy district may rise to 51. Hyderabad may gain five seats, taking the total to 20. Medchal, Rangareddy and Vikarabad districts together may account for 31 constituencies, with several urban segments proposed.
