Parliament Losing Relevance, Quality Over Numbers Must Be Prioritised: Constitutional Expert Ulhas Bapat

Pune, 25th March 2026: Raising serious concerns over the evolving nature of India’s parliamentary system, constitutional expert Ulhas Bapat has said that the importance of Parliament is gradually declining, while the role of the Prime Minister is becoming increasingly dominant.

Speaking on recent debates surrounding governance and representation, Bapat remarked, “The significance of Parliament is slowly diminishing, and the Prime Minister’s position is becoming more influential.” His comments reflect a growing discourse on the shifting balance of power within India’s democratic framework.

Referring to recent remarks by Mohan Bhagwat on population growth, Bapat highlighted the implications of such ideas on parliamentary representation. Bhagwat had suggested that if every Hindu family has three children, India’s population could rise from 1.4 billion to 2.1 billion.

Questioning the logic of linking population growth directly to representation, Bapat said, “Should the number of Members of Parliament be increased proportionately? This is nothing but a childish argument.”

Strongly opposing calls to increase the number of MPs, Bapat stressed that enhancing the quality of legislators should take precedence over expanding their numbers.
He underlined the need for a robust mechanism to ensure that elected representatives are ethical, responsible, and possess strong character, noting that such safeguards are currently inadequate within the constitutional framework.

Bapat also expressed support for greater political representation of women, backing the idea of reservation. However, he cautioned that merely increasing numbers would not resolve systemic issues.
He emphasised that competence and leadership quality must remain central, even while implementing measures to improve inclusivity.

Highlighting a structural concern, Bapat pointed out that the Constitution does not provide a strong guarantee ensuring that Members of Parliament uphold high moral and ethical standards—something he described as a matter of concern.
His remarks come amid ongoing national discussions on governance reforms, representation, and the future of parliamentary democracy in India.