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:
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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 5:41 AM GMT
Sword known as delimitation hanging above the heads of southern states. Tamil Nadu has been pushed to carry forward this protest. Tamil Nadu faces a big threat. We might lose 12 seats. If delimitation is done based on population, this could lead to Tamil Nadu losing representation. Together we need to defeat this conspiracy: Stalin
- 5 March 2025 5:39 AM GMT
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | On the All Party Meeting called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, TN BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy says, "There is no doubt that South India has helped the country in decreasing the population, which is why they got 0.5% in the Finance… pic.twitter.com/tvy7sTSJ8I
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2025 - 5 March 2025 5:28 AM GMT
Parties give nod for Joint Action Committee
Parties including PMK, VCK extend their support to form Joint Action Committee comprising representatives of parties with Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and other southern states.
- 5 March 2025 5:13 AM GMT
Special committee to be formed
A special committee will be established comprising the Members of Parliament from the southern states. It has been decided that the resolutions passed in this committee will be presented to the President of the Republic.
- 5 March 2025 5:09 AM GMT
Parties pass resolution, urge Centre to freeze 'number of seats' for another 30 years
Resolution passed in the all-party meeting convened by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin urging Union Government to freeze ‘number of seats’ as it is for another 30 years.
- 5 March 2025 5:08 AM GMT
What TVK leader Vijay said
TVK leader Vijay has stated that the number of parliamentary constituencies should not be altered. He emphasised that redistricting constituencies based on population would be a punishment for Tamil Nadu. "It is unacceptable to reduce constituencies for southern states while increasing them for states like Uttar Pradesh," he said.
"There is no need to increase the current number of Members of Parliament, as even with 543 members, not all can raise questions during question hours. Furthermore, the allotted time for those members who do get the opportunity is often insufficient. The shortage of members in Parliament does not reflect a problem for the public."
