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The upcoming delimitation exercise, which aims to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on population levels, has triggered a fresh political battle between Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK and the BJP-led central government. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has called for an all-party meeting next week, warning that the exercise could weaken the state's voice in Parliament.
Tamil Nadu's Concerns Over Delimitation
Expressing strong opposition, Stalin argued that Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament would be “crushed” due to the proposed changes. "Our voice is being stifled. This is not just about numbers—it is about our rights," he asserted, urging all political parties to set aside differences and unite on this issue.
Drawing a stark analogy, he described the delimitation exercise as a "sword hanging over southern states," highlighting that regions like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully controlled population growth, could face unfair consequences.
Beyond delimitation, Stalin also called for discussions on other contentious issues, including:
- NEET medical entrance exam – which the DMK opposes, arguing it disadvantages Tamil Nadu students.
- The three-language policy – seen as an attempt to impose Hindi, a long-standing point of friction.
- Allocation of central funds – which southern states often argue is unfairly distributed.
How Delimitation Could Impact Tamil Nadu
Under the proposed changes, Tamil Nadu would see only a modest increase in its Lok Sabha seats, moving from 39 to 41. Meanwhile, a nationwide delimitation would expand the total number of seats from 543 to over 750, significantly benefiting high-population states in the north.
For instance, Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state and a BJP stronghold, could see its Lok Sabha seats increase from 80 to 126, a staggering 60% rise. Similarly, states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh could gain substantial representation.
In contrast, Kerala, which has led the way in population control, might actually lose seats—a scenario that critics argue disproportionately favors the BJP, as the northern states gaining the most seats largely support the party.
Centre's Response to the Backlash
In response to these concerns, central government sources, quoted by NDTV, have assured that the better track record of southern states in managing population growth will be taken into account. Officials have attempted to downplay fears that the southern states will be penalized in the process.
However, with political tensions rising, the delimitation debate is likely to become a major flashpoint in the coming months, particularly as Tamil Nadu and other southern states push back against what they see as an unfair shift in political power.
