Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called for equitable delimitation during the inaugural meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Chennai on Saturday. “We do not oppose the delimitation process,” he stated as he addressed the assembly, which included Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Other notable attendees included Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Additionally, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Working President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and PMA Salam, General Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League from Kerala, were present.
Stalin emphasized during the meeting that the delimitation of constituencies should not be based solely on the current population figures, warning that doing so would diminish the representation of various states in Parliament. “We must unite in opposing this approach,” he urged.
He elaborated on the implications of a population-based delimitation, stating, “Every state represented here has made notable progress in controlling its population. Penalizing these states by reducing their representation would silence our voices.” He highlighted that a decrease in parliamentary seats equates to a reduction of political strength, with serious consequences for the rights and future interests of citizens. “This issue is not merely about numbers; it’s fundamentally about our authority and agency in our own nation. Therefore, we cannot take the matter of delimitation lightly.”
Stalin clarified that the opposition to delimitation is not against enhancing democratic representation but is focused on ensuring fair political representation. He reiterated, “This protest is not against the concept of delimitation; rather, it advocates for a fair delimitation process.”
In a video message prior to the meeting, Stalin warned that if delimitation proceeds based on current population statistics, both Tamil Nadu and other states could lose their representation in Parliament. “Such a move would undermine federalism in India and diminish the voices we bring to parliament,” he cautioned.
The gathering was aimed at uniting states that would be adversely affected by potential changes in delimitation. Stalin indicated that the meeting sought to formulate a strategy to address these concerns.
In contrast, the Tamil Nadu BJP voiced its objection, accusing the DMK of compromising the state’s rights, labeling the delimitation meeting as a mere performance.
Kerala CM Vijayan pointed out that the BJP is advancing the delimitation process without adequate consultation. He argued that if executed following the census, the process might disproportionately increase parliamentary seats for northern states. He criticized the central government’s assurances regarding pro-rata seat distribution, highlighting the ambiguity in whether this distribution would consider the current parliamentary seat count or be strictly based on population data.
“The central government must address our concerns. It is their duty to avoid unilateral actions and to uphold the principles of democracy and federalism,” Vijayan stated. He stressed the need to ensure that the delimitation process maintains each state’s rightful share of parliamentary representation.
Telangana CM Reddy also voiced his opposition, saying, “While we respect the unity of our country, we cannot accept this proposed delimitation, as it would politically restrict us and penalize states that are performing well. We must prevent the BJP from enacting any unfair delimitation.”
Responding to the JAC meeting, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai accused the DMK government of sacrificing the interests of the state for political advantage. He criticized CM Stalin for prioritizing discussions on what he deemed an artificial issue over more pressing matters, like the Mullaperiyar dam, which requires dialogue with his Kerala counterpart.
