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 7:16 AM GMT
Kamal's praise for Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
In both 1976 and 2001, the then prime ministers of India, despite belonging to different political parties and holding varying ideologies, mutually respected each other and did not prioritise delimitation based on population: Kamal Haasan
- 5 March 2025 7:12 AM GMT
It is my firm belief, as an Indian, a Tamil, and a representative of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, that maintaining the current composition of parliamentary members without any alterations at any time is essential for safeguarding democracy, the principles of coalition governance, and India's diversity: Kamal Haasan
- 5 March 2025 7:09 AM GMT
Warn Centre not to transform India into 'Hindia', says Kamal Haasan
This is an exceptional gathering. Our Makkal Needhi Maiam fully embraces and supports the resolution. We have convened here, setting aside policy discrepancies, for the future of Tamil Nadu. Congratulations to the parties participating in this assembly. I warn the Centre that do not transform India into 'Hindia': Kamal Haasan
- 5 March 2025 6:55 AM GMT
There is confusion regarding the term "Prorata." The issue is not that our state's MP count has decreased; rather, it becomes a problem if it increases in northern states, remarked M Jawahirlullah.
- 5 March 2025 6:53 AM GMT
Stalin and the chief secretary provided an explanation regarding the impact of constituency delimitation during the all-party meeting through a PowerPoint presentation.
- 5 March 2025 6:52 AM GMT
The resolution should include a statement that the current representation of Tamil Nadu at 7.2 in Parliament must not be reduced; the AIADMK fully supports this resolution: Jayakumar of the AIADMK.
