Explained : More MPs And MLAs, More Corruption In India and Its Impact

Across India, the number of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies is expected to increase in the coming years.

This development is widely discussed and often presented as a structural reform meant to improve representation, based on population.

However, an important question remains unanswered. What real benefit will people receive from increasing the number of MPs and MLAs?

For most citizens, it is difficult to clearly see how their elected representatives directly contribute to their personal growth or to the development of their constituencies.

In practice, major decisions about infrastructure, welfare schemes, economic policies, and development priorities are taken by governments and bureaucratic institutions.

MPs and MLAs often play only a limited role in shaping these decisions. Their influence over what gets developed and what does not is relatively small compared with the authority of the executive branch and administrative machinery.

At this juncture, increasing the number of parliamentary and assembly seats may simply place an additional burden on the public exchequer.

Every MP and MLA receives a salary, allowances, official residence benefits, security arrangements, travel privileges, and several other facilities funded by taxpayers.

Beyond their tenure, many are also entitled to lifelong pensions and other post service benefits. When the number of representatives rises significantly, these expenses multiply and create a long term financial obligation for the government.

In a country where public funds are urgently needed for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation, this expansion may represent an unnecessary use of scarce resources.

Another concern relates to governance and corruption. Increasing the number of political representatives does not automatically improve accountability or service delivery. In some cases, it may produce the opposite effect.

When multiple representatives operate in a limited geographical area, competition for influence and resources can intensify. This can create opportunities for greater corruption, land grabbing, and misuse of authority.

Citizens often face pressure in routine matters such as property registrations, local permits, or access to government services. Instead of helping the public, some representatives may exploit their positions for personal gain.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the upcoming delimitation process expected around 2029. Many current MPs and MLAs do not know whether their constituencies will remain the same or become reserved seats based on caste categories.

This uncertainty may push some politicians to accumulate wealth quickly while they still hold office, fearing that their future electoral prospects are uncertain.

For these reasons, expanding legislative seats should be reconsidered carefully. Rather than increasing numbers, reforms should focus on strengthening accountability, transparency, and the effectiveness of existing representatives. This would serve citizens far better than simply multiplying political positions.

At this critical moment, it is important for the Prime Minister and the policymaking system around him to carefully reflect on the real consequences of such a reform.

While the intention may be to improve democratic representation, the practical impact on public finances, governance quality, and corruption risks must be seriously evaluated.

Citizens expect reforms that genuinely improve governance and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Therefore, before implementing any expansion of legislative seats, the leadership of the country should engage in wider consultation and ensure that the reform truly benefits the people rather than creating additional challenges for them.

Kiran Sharma