DMK, YSRCP backing CEC’s removal clouds Centre’s delimitation push ahead of possible Parliament session

NEW DELHI: The DMK and YSRCP’s demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal may hinder the Centre’s renewed push to pass the constitutional amendment on delimitation linking women’s reservation, raising uncertainty over support from the two regional parties crucial to the NDA’s efforts to secure the required two-thirds majority.

There is speculation that the BJP had approached the DMK, which has 22 Lok Sabha MPs, for support on delimitation. The YSRCP, meanwhile, has backed several contentious government Bills, including the legislation on appointing election commissioners, despite remaining outside the NDA. However, both parties have now strongly backed the demand to remove the CEC, though their positions on a fresh delimitation proposal remain unclear.