Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday declared that the day would be remembered as a historic moment when states came together to safeguard India’s federal structure by advocating for fair delimitation. His remarks came ahead of the first Joint Action Committee meeting on the issue.
Taking to social media platform X, Stalin wrote, “Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation. I warmly welcome all Chief Ministers and political leaders to this meeting, united in our commitment to #FairDelimitation.”
Leaders from several opposition parties have begun arriving in Chennai to attend the meeting, which is seen as an effort by the Tamil Nadu government to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government over what they call an “attack on federalism.”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed his strong opposition to the delimitation process, vowing that their state’s representation in Parliament would not be reduced. He also commended Stalin for taking the lead in protecting India’s federal structure and Constitution.
“I would like to congratulate MK Stalin. He has taken the first step. We are very proud that he is protecting the federal structure and the Constitution of this country. Coming together is the beginning. Today, all of us will discuss what the progress will be and work together… Leaders from Telangana, Punjab, Kerala—all have joined us. At any cost, we cannot let down our country or allow our seats to be reduced… We are a progressive state, excelling in both economic and literacy standards… We will stand united,” Shivakumar told ANI.
Chief Ministers and political leaders from various states, including Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, have reached Chennai to participate in the meeting. Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das and Biju Janata Dal leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma are also in attendance.
CM Stalin has called for a united front against the delimitation process, describing it as a “blatant assault on federalism.” He had earlier written to the Chief Ministers of seven states—across party lines—urging them to join the “fight against this unfair exercise.”
The Tamil Nadu government has been in an ongoing conflict with the Centre over various issues, including the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. The BJP had boycotted an earlier all-party meeting called by CM Stalin to discuss the implications of the proposed delimitation on Tamil Nadu.
The Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai marks the first coordinated effort by opposition-led states to resist changes they believe threaten the country’s federal balance.
