Delimitation is not party issue, it is about the state's rights, says Stalin
LIVE: All-party meeting on delimitation calls for status quo on no. of LS seats for next 30 years
The meeting, chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, was attended by leaders and representatives of 56 parties
Amid the ongoing language row, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has upped the ante on another crucial federal issue — Lok Sabha delimitation.
Stalin on Wednesday (March 5) proposed a Joint Action Committee comprising MPs and party representatives from all the southern states at an all-party meeting on the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats in Chennai.
Moving a resolution, Stalin said that in the event of an increase in the number of seats in Parliament, the 1971 Census should be the basis for it. Also, the 1971 Census should be the basis for delimitation of Lok Sabha seats for 30 years from 2026, he asserted.
Resolution expected to be passed
The all-party meeting is expected to pass a resolution on the issue of delimitation, based on the apprehension that Tamil Nadu might lose eight Parliament seats, as the state has successfully implemented the family planning programme that led to population control.
Principal opposition party AIADMK, the Congress and Left parties, and actor-politician Vijay’s TVK were the close to 40 parties that attended the meeting, which was boycotted by the BJP, the Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and former Union minister GK Vasan’s Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar).
BJP’s denial
The ruling DMK has been staunchly opposing the delimitation exercise, with party president and chief minister Stalin claiming it will lead to reduced LS seats in Tamil Nadu. He has wondered whether the state was being punished for effective implementation of population control measures over the years.
BJP state president K Annamalai has alleged that Stalin is trying to “shift the narrative” with the “imaginary fear” of delimitation as people of the state have rejected his argument on the three-language policy. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Stalin of spreading “misinformation”, assuring that no Southern state would lose a “single Parliamentary seat” due to delimitation.
Also Read:
‘Immediately have babies’: Stalin to newlyweds amid delimitation concerns
Amit Shah says no Southern states will lose seats
Ready for another language war, says Stalin
'You must know Hindi to buy tea, pani puri, or use toilets in North India': Stalin ups ante
Political rivals in TN come together for a common cause
Catch all the updates here.
Live Updates
- 5 March 2025 10:00 AM GMT
What Kamal Hassan says
#WATCH | Chennai: Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Hassan leaves after the all-party meeting over the delimitation issue, chaired by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2025
He says, " My opinion is that this 453 (seats) need not change. Even when it was 145 crore, these 453 members… pic.twitter.com/YqWcJsecIh - 5 March 2025 9:09 AM GMT
Senior minister Thangam Thenarasu addressed the media and said Stalin would provide further details regarding the next course of action.
- 5 March 2025 9:01 AM GMT
Stalin says thank you
The meeting has concluded, and Stalin expressed gratitude to the political parties that participated despite their political differences.Sta
- 5 March 2025 7:51 AM GMT
TNCC will support decisions made by Stalin: Selvaperunthagai
The central government is striving to increase the number of Hindi-speaking states. However, it has not yet disclosed its plans regarding Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. In this context, the decisions made by the chief minister of Tamil Nadu will receive the support of the Congress party: Selvaperunthagai, president, TNCC
- 5 March 2025 7:45 AM GMT
Amit Shah didn't say how many extra seats UP, Bihar will get: Anbumani Ramadoss
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Coimbatore, stated that there will be no reduction in the number of constituencies in Tamil Nadu. However, he did not specify how many seats would be increased in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Observing the current situation, it appears that the central government is engaged in discussions regarding delimitation. Therefore, this meeting is deemed essential and urgent: Anbumani Ramadoss
- 5 March 2025 7:38 AM GMT
There's no need to frequently undermine a well-functioning democracy: Kamal Haasan
Why are you (Centre) attempting to cling to something that is unattainable? Furthermore, there is no need to frequently undermine a well-functioning democracy. Regardless of how parliamentary constituencies are redefined, it is primarily the states where non-Hindi speaking populations reside that will be affected. This endeavour, which calls into question the principles of coalition governance, is unnecessary: Kamal Haasan
- 5 March 2025 7:25 AM GMT
Census was strategically postponed: Kamal Haasan
"It is essential to observe the timing of when decisions regarding the delimitation are made. Citing the pandemic as a reason, the postponement of the population census until 2026 appears to be strategically aimed at consolidating Hindi-speaking states with favourable demographics to secure a decisive electoral victory. Our vision is an inclusive INDIA, while their creation is a 'Hindia'," says Kamal Haasan.
- 5 March 2025 7:24 AM GMT
No necessity to alter number of members in LS, RS: Kamal
The stance of MNM is that there is no necessity to alter the current number of members in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Regardless of which coalition emerges win in the electoral politics and assumes power, our position remains unchanged: Kamal
