Mamata Banerjee Claims Delimitation Bill Aims to Divide India

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Union Government introduced a Delimitation Bill with the objective of dividing West Bengal and India. Speaking on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at an election rally in Domjur, Howrah, Ms. Banerjee alleged that the ruling party is pursuing this delimitation exercise to gain political advantage, particularly at a time when they do not hold a majority and rely on the support of two other parties. She suggested these supporting parties are influenced by fears of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

What Happened

The Union Government has put forward three bills intended to facilitate a new delimitation process based on the most recent census. These bills propose increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from its current 545 members to a potential 850. The proposed legislation also aims to implement a one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Ms. Banerjee criticized these proposals, stating that the delimitation would be followed by the National Register of Citizens (NRC), leading to further deletion of names and potential placement of individuals in detention camps. She specifically mentioned the deletion of 91 lakh names during a recent voter revision in West Bengal, including over 60 lakh Hindus and 30 lakh Muslims, and expressed fears that Bengali people would be driven out and replaced by outsiders to influence future votes.

Background

Ms. Banerjee had previously expressed similar concerns on April 12, suggesting the BJP government intended to trifurcate Bengal through delimitation, altering the region's demographic and geographic makeup. She indicated that this process might involve merging some districts of Bengal with neighboring states like Bihar and Odisha, which she believes would cause further suffering to the state's population. She affirmed her government's opposition to the creation of detention camps.

Key Facts

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made statements on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, regarding the Delimitation Bill.
• She stated the BJP-led Union Government introduced the bill to divide West Bengal and India.
• Ms. Banerjee claimed the delimitation is for political mileage while the government lacks a majority and requires support from two other parties.
• The Union Government circulated three bills for fresh delimitation based on the latest Census, intending to increase Lok Sabha strength from 545 to potentially 850.
• The bills also aim for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
• Ms. Banerjee linked delimitation to NRC, predicting name deletions and detention camps.
• She stated that 91 lakh names were deleted during a Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal, including over 60 lakh Hindus and 30 lakh Muslims.
• On April 12, Ms. Banerjee had previously stated the BJP government aimed to trifurcate Bengal and change its demographic and geographic composition.
• She suggested delimitation could lead to the merging of some Bengal districts with Bihar and Odisha.