Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has reiterated the need for fair delimitation, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond parliamentary representation to protecting state rights. Speaking ahead of the first Joint Action Committee meeting on Saturday with various state leaders, Stalin warned that an unfair delimitation exercise based solely on population could significantly reduce the representation of southern states in Parliament.
“Fair delimitation is the talk of the town right now. Why has the DMK brought this to focus? Because in 2026, delimitation will happen. And if the exercise is carried out based on population, our representation in Parliament will be severely affected. This is not just about the number of MPs but about our State’s rights. That is why we have convened a meeting of all parties. Except the BJP, every other party stood together as one,” Stalin said in a video message posted on X.
The Tamil Nadu government has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed delimitation exercise and the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Stalin has reached out to Chief Ministers from seven states, including those governed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), urging a collective stand against what he calls a “blatant assault on federalism.”
Congress leader P Chidambaram echoed these concerns, cautioning that the delimitation process could result in a significant reduction of parliamentary seats for southern states.
“Delimitation is a serious issue. It was frozen in 1971, but a census after 2026 will lead to redistribution of seats. According to our calculations, if seats are reallocated based on the current population, the five southern states, which currently have 129 seats, will see their share reduced to 103. They will lose 26 seats, while states with high population growth—such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan—will gain more seats,” Chidambaram said.
The Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai on March 22 is expected to bring together leaders from various political parties in a united effort to oppose the delimitation process and its potential impact on the federal structure of India.
