Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin led the first Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai, opposing the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha seats. Stalin emphasized that legal action would be necessary to prevent unfair seat redistribution that could weaken the representation of certain states.
Concerns Over Population-Based Delimitation
Stalin warned that delimitation based on the upcoming census would disproportionately impact states that have successfully controlled population growth. He compared the potential consequences to the ongoing crisis in Manipur, where he claimed voices are being ignored due to inadequate representation.
Participation from Multiple States
The meeting saw participation from 14 leaders across five states. Key attendees included Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik also joined the discussions.
Pinarayi Calls Delimitation a ‘Sword of Damocles’
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the BJP government for moving forward with delimitation without consulting states. He described the proposal as a political maneuver rather than a constitutionally driven exercise.
Impact on Southern States
Delimitation based on the census is expected to increase parliamentary seats in northern states while reducing them in southern states. Critics argue that this shift benefits the BJP, which holds more influence in the north. Stalin asserted that states excelling in economic growth and literacy should not be penalized.
Legal and Political Action Plan Proposed
Stalin called for an expert panel to develop a political and legal strategy against unfair delimitation. He proposed forming the ‘Joint Action Committee for Fair Delimitation’ to guide future efforts and ensure fair representation.
Potential Consequences of Delimitation
Stalin highlighted that reduced representation would weaken states’ political influence, affecting their ability to secure financial resources. He warned that such a move could also:
- Limit women’s participation in politics.
- Reduce educational and employment opportunities for youth.
- Leave farmers and marginalized communities unsupported.
- Undermine cultural identity and social justice.
BJP’s Black Flag Protest
Meanwhile, BJP leaders staged a black flag protest against the meeting, calling it a distraction from corruption issues. BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan accused the DMK of using the delimitation issue to divert public attention from governance failures.
Karnataka Deputy CM Opposes Seat Reduction
Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar voiced strong opposition, stating that southern states have consistently upheld census regulations and family planning policies. He argued that reducing their representation would be unfair given their contributions to national progress.
Political Divide Intensifies
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticized Stalin for not organizing similar meetings to address Tamil Nadu’s water disputes with Karnataka and Kerala. She questioned the basis for the meeting, pointing out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already assured that Tamil Nadu would not be affected by delimitation.
States Unite for Fair Representation
The DMK-led initiative has reached out to leaders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab. With growing opposition, the fight for a fair delimitation process is set to escalate both politically and legally.
