Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Mar 5: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday voiced strong opposition to the proposed parliamentary delimitation based on the upcoming census, warning that it could drastically reduce the state’s political representation in Parliament.

Speaking at an all-party meeting convened at the Secretariat, CM Stalin highlighted the looming threat posed by the delimitation process. He stated that if constituencies were redrawn based on population figures, Tamil Nadu could lose up to eight parliamentary seats.

“The sword of delimitation is hanging over South India,” he said. “If the total number of Lok Sabha seats is increased, Tamil Nadu should get 22 additional seats. However, under the present formula, we may only receive 10—leading to a net loss of 12 seats. This is a direct attack on our political rights.”

Emphasizing that Tamil Nadu is not against the delimitation process itself, Stalin argued that the state must not be punished for its success in social welfare, economic development, and population control over the last five decades. He urged the Central government to continue using the 1971 census as the basis for the next three decades.

“We urge the Prime Minister to ensure that the delimitation process follows the 1971 census even after 2026,” he stated.

The meeting resolved to demand an increase in the total number of parliamentary seats while ensuring fair representation for all states through necessary constitutional amendments.
CM Stalin announced the formation of a Joint Action Committee of MPs from South Indian states to coordinate efforts against the proposed redistribution of parliamentary seats. He also pledged to take the issue to the public and raise awareness about the potential impact of the delimitation exercise.

The delimitation process was frozen in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment Act to prevent states with higher population growth from gaining an unfair advantage. This freeze was extended in 2001 through the 84th Amendment Act, postponing the exercise until 2026. Presently, the distribution of the 543 Lok Sabha and 250 Rajya Sabha seats is still based on the 1971 census, though constituency boundaries and SC/ST reservations were adjusted in 2001.

CM Stalin warned that states with effective population control measures were being unfairly penalized. He described the proposed delimitation as a “Sword of Damocles” hanging over Tamil Nadu and other southern states, stressing that it would weaken their voice in national politics.

“As a first step, we are uniting all political parties in Tamil Nadu to resist this injustice,” he declared.