Does India need more MPs?

What is the global experience across unitary and federal systems? The US House of Representatives has been frozen at 435 members for over a century—from one representative for every 209,447 people in 1910 to one for every 747,184 last year. The number of MPs in France has been at 577 since 1986. The UK parliament had 658 MPs in 1796, and post-tweaks hosts 650 seats since the 1980s. The correlation between representation and betterment is scarcely linear.

Sure, Indians deserve better representation. Last week, I asked a group of informed CEOs if any of them had seen their MP. One hand went up. In Pune, successive MPs have neglected new areas such as Baner and failed for 20 years to get the city its airport.

How has the cohort of 543 MPs performed? Here are some questions. When did the Lok Sabha last debate why India has over 5 crore cases pending in courts? Or why the Union government is the biggest litigant, with 7.2 lakh cases? Why is there no clarity on when the census will be held? Or why 3,894 census towns are tagged neither urban nor rural?

Indians deserve better political representation and this can be structured in three phases. To start with, transfer form, funds and functions (the Finance Commission can do it) to the third tier of governance. India’s urban landscape, home to taxpayers, suffers from issues ranging from water scarcity and mobility to housing and poor air quality.

The promise of last-mile governance embedded in the 73rd and 74th amendments—grounded for three decades—must be revived. The second phase would be the expansion of the number of MLAs across states to improve responsiveness. Finally, initiate a uniform 33 percent enhancement in the number of MPs to accommodate the promise of 33 percent reservation for women.

Context is critical in politics and policy. The crux is in the framing of the issue. India’s economic growth is propelled by states in the south and the west—indeed, 31 per cent of India’s GDP in 2023-24 came from the southern states. It is therefore critical—particularly in the light of global uncertainties and challenges—that the balance of power is not disturbed for short-term political gains. This calls for a national consensus, not factional confrontation.

Shankkar Aiyar

Author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar:

A Biometric History of India’s 12 Digit

Revolution, and Accidental India

(shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com)

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