Tags:PolityMaharashtra
For Prelims: Delimitation, Women's Reservation Bill, Two-Thirds Majority, Nodal Party, Key Ally Sought, Number of NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MPs, Legislation requiring two-thirds majority, Current context
For Mains: Political alliance, Two-thirds majority, Regional party support, Constitutional amendment
Source:
Indian Express
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The BJP is reaching out to the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar.
- The NCP (SP) has 8 Lok Sabha MPs.
- The delimitation and women's reservation Bills require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
- The legislation got 298 votes in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha earlier this year.
- PM Modi called Sharad Pawar when he was admitted to a hospital in Pune.
Why in the news?
The BJP is reaching out to Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed for the fresh delimitation and women's reservation Bills, which failed in the Lok Sabha earlier this year. This has triggered speculation about a merger of the two NCP factions, though the final decision rests with Pawar.
Summary
- The BJP views the NCP (SP)'s 8 Lok Sabha MPs as crucial to pass the delimitation and women's reservation Bills, which require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
- In a special session earlier this year, the legislation secured only 298 votes in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the required numbers.
- The BJP sees strengthening regional parties in Maharashtra as a strategic necessity to counter the growing assertion of the Congress.
Highlights
BJP-NCP(SP) Outreach
BJP leadership is reaching out to Sharad Pawar to secure support for crucial Bills requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Possible NCP Faction Merger
Speculation about a merger of the two NCP factions has risen, but the final decision rests with Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar.
Background
The BJP needs a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament to pass the fresh delimitation and women's reservation Bills. In a special session earlier this year, the legislation fell short, with 298 MPs voting in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha. This has forced the ruling party to seek support from regional parties, including the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar.
Key Analysis and Impact
The BJP's outreach to Pawar is a strategic move to counter the Congress's growing political assertion, especially in Maharashtra. Strengthening regional parties is now seen as a 'strategic necessity' by the BJP. The NCP (SP) has 8 Lok Sabha MPs, making it an important political outfit. The BJP's counter-campaign against Congress's allegations of 'vote chori' and EC irregularities has had limited appeal among voters, further necessitating this alliance.
Way Forward
The BJP is adopting a wait-and-watch approach due to Pawar's 'political unpredictability'. The final decision on a possible merger of the two NCP factions rests with Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar. The BJP's role is limited to an 'advisory one'. The proposed visit of PM Modi to Baramati on November 16 (postponed from November 3) to inaugurate Prerna Sthal could be a key moment in cementing this alliance.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Delimitation
- The process of redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and state Assembly constituencies based on the latest census data to ensure equal representation.
- Women's Reservation Bill
- A bill to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, requiring a constitutional amendment.
- Two-Thirds Majority
- For a constitutional amendment under Article 368, a special majority is required in each House of Parliament — that is, a majority of the total membership of the House and not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 298 votes in favour, 230 against in Lok Sabha for the women's reservation/delimitation bills
- Nodal Body: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Legal Point: Two-thirds majority requirement for constitutional amendment bills
Don't make this mistake!
Students may confuse the 'women's reservation Bill' with the 'delimitation Bill' as separate entities. The news mentions both as requiring a two-thirds majority. Also, the NCP (SP) has 8 Lok Sabha MPs, not 8 Rajya Sabha MPs.
Write these in mains answers
- Political alliance, Two-thirds majority, Regional party support, Constitutional amendment
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The BJP wants to pass two important Bills: one to redraw election boundaries (delimitation) and one to reserve seats for women in Parliament. These need a special two-thirds majority vote. The BJP does not have enough votes on its own, so it is asking Sharad Pawar's party, the NCP (SP), for support. This has led to talk that the two rival NCP groups might merge again.
- The BJP is reaching out to the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar.
- The NCP (SP) has 8 Lok Sabha MPs.
- The delimitation and women's reservation Bills require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
- The legislation got 298 votes in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha earlier this year.
- PM Modi called Sharad Pawar when he was admitted to a hospital in Pune.
- Polity: Parliament and Lawmaking
- Polity: Political Parties and Alliances
Related concepts: Delimitation, Women's Reservation Bill, Two-Thirds Majority
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which political party is the BJP primarily reaching out to for support on the delimitation and women's reservation Bills?
Explanation: The BJP is reaching out to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) to secure support for the Bills. The Congress is the party the BJP is trying to counter, not ally with.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The BJP failed to secure a two-thirds majority for the delimitation and women's reservation Bills in a special session earlier this year.
- 2.The NCP (SP) has 8 Rajya Sabha MPs.
- 3.The final decision on a possible merger of the two NCP factions rests with Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: 298 MPs voted in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required numbers. Statement 2 is incorrect: the NCP (SP) has 8 Lok Sabha MPs, not Rajya Sabha MPs. Statement 3 is correct: the news quotes a BJP leader saying the final decision rests with Sunetra Pawar and Sharad Pawar. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
How many MPs voted in favour of the legislation regarding delimitation and women's reservation in the Lok Sabha during the special session earlier this year?
Explanation: 298 MPs voted in favour of the legislation. 230 voted against it.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary reason for the BJP to seek support from the NCP (SP) for the delimitation and women's reservation Bills?
Explanation: The BJP views strengthening regional parties as a 'strategic necessity' to counter the Congress's growing assertion. The merger is a speculation, not the primary goal. The BJP already has a simple majority; it needs a two-thirds majority for the Bills.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why is the BJP reaching out to Sharad Pawar?
The BJP needs the support of Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), which has 8 Lok Sabha MPs, to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the fresh delimitation and women's reservation Bills.
2. How many votes did the legislation get in the Lok Sabha earlier this year?
In the special session earlier this year, 298 MPs voted in favour and 230 against the legislation in the Lok Sabha.
3. Who will decide on the possible merger of the two NCP factions?
The final decision on a possible merger of the two NCP factions rests with NCP president Sunetra Pawar and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar.
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- Original7 November 2026 · Read story
