He will discuss whether the government will amend the delimitation law as per the opposition’s demands, says Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File | Photo credit: ANI

A day after the NCP(SP) hinted that there may be a rethink of the opposition’s stand on the delimitation bill, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday (July 16, 2026) said opposition parties will discuss it if the government considers their proposed amendments. “If there is an increase in seats by 50% and if the government brings an amendment to that effect, it can be discussed,” he said while talking to reporters in Nagpur. He was in the city to oversee preparations for party chief Uddhava Thackeray’s Ram Raksha campaign on July 18. The party extended an invitation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to attend.

“No one side decides”

Mr. Raut said that the decision on the Bill will be taken jointly by all the parties of the INDIA bloc. “No single party will be invited to do this. The decision will be taken by all together. If the government comes up with a different proposal, all the INDIA block parties will sit together. I don’t think one party will take its own decision. It will be a collective decision,” he said.

The strength of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Lok Sabha is drastically reduced at present. From nine MPs, the party was reduced to three Lok Sabha MPs after six of its MPs supported Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. The six MPs met Union Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). After the meeting, Mr. Shinde expressed confidence that the Delimitation Bill would pass smoothly in Parliament this time.

No question of reconsideration: Congress

Congress leaders in Maharashtra said they were preparing to face the fallout themselves. “We will not support the bill under any conditions. We will oppose it. The question of reconsideration does not arise. Given the kind of statements made by the NCP(SP), it is not clear whether they will stand together with the INDIA bloc in voting against the delimitation bill,” a senior Congress official told The Hindu. The NCP (SP) has eight Lok Sabha MPs.

The Congress said there were questions about the fate of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. “It’s not just about the Delimitation Bill anymore. It looks like the NCP(SP) will support the ruling dispensation over him. Going forward, Uddhava Thackeray’s political strength is decimated. Six of his nine MLAs are gone. There is a cloud of uncertainty over his MLAs too. He will have no alternative but to take a strong line in the near future.” asked a senior Congress official.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to hold a Ram Raksha protest in Nagpur on July 18 over the corruption allegations swirling in the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya.

Published – 16 Jul 2026 14:52 IST