Manpreet Singh Ayali seeks equal Rajya Sabha representation for all states
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 10, 2026: Akali Dal Waris Punjab De leader and Mullanpur Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali on Monday called for equal representation for all states in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Punjab government to pass a resolution seeking a constitutional amendment to protect the political interests of smaller states.
Raising the issue in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Ayali expressed concern that the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies based on population could further increase the representation of more populous states, potentially weakening the political voice of smaller states.
He said the Rajya Sabha should serve as a balancing institution in India’s federal structure and provide equal representation to every state, irrespective of population.
“Only increasing representation based on population could weaken the political voice of smaller states. Equal representation in the Rajya Sabha is necessary to protect their interests,” Ayali said.
He urged the Punjab government to take up the matter with the Centre and seek a constitutional amendment to ensure that every state is treated as an equal federal unit in terms of representation in the Upper House.
Ayali pointed out that Punjab currently has seven seats in the Rajya Sabha, compared to 31 seats held by Uttar Pradesh, and said the gap could widen further if future political representation is increasingly linked to population.
Referring to federal systems in countries such as the United States, Switzerland and Australia, Ayali said their upper houses provide equal or broadly balanced representation to constituent states, helping prevent larger states from dominating smaller ones in the federal decision-making process.
He cited the example of the US Senate, where California and Wyoming have the same number of senators despite their vast difference in population. Similarly, he said, Australian states have equal representation in the Senate.
Ayali said the issue had gained greater significance amid discussions over the proposed delimitation exercise and a possible expansion in the number of Lok Sabha seats.
He said Akali Dal Waris Punjab De had consistently advocated for greater powers for states and a stronger federal structure.
“Equal representation in the Rajya Sabha would give smaller states a stronger voice and help safeguard their political and regional interests,” he said.