Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday firmly opposed the proposed delimitation exercise, declaring that Karnataka will not allow its parliamentary seats to be reduced at any cost.
Shivakumar also praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for initiating the discussion on the issue, emphasizing that Stalin is safeguarding the federal structure and the Constitution.
“I congratulate MK Stalin for taking the first step. We are proud that he is protecting the federal structure and the Constitution. This is just the beginning—today, we will discuss our course of action together. Leaders from Telangana, Punjab, Kerala—everyone has come together. At any cost, we will not let our seats be reduced. Karnataka is a progressive state, strong in economy and literacy, and we will stand united,” Shivakumar told ANI.
Defiantly addressing BJP’s protests against him, he added, “I welcome all the BJP black flags. I am not afraid, even if they send me to Tihar jail.”
Shivakumar arrived in Chennai on Saturday to represent the Karnataka government at the first Joint Action Committee Meeting on delimitation, convened by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.
The meeting has seen participation from several opposition leaders, including:
– Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and BRS leader KT Rama Rao
– Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
– Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das
– BJD leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma
The Tamil Nadu government is spearheading this initiative, arguing that the delimitation process threatens federalism and could reduce representation for southern states.
CM MK Stalin has called for a joint effort to oppose the delimitation process, writing to Chief Ministers from seven states—including both NDA-ruled and opposition-led states—urging them to stand against what he calls an “unfair exercise”.
Apart from delimitation, the Tamil Nadu government has also clashed with the Centre over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Earlier, Stalin had convened an all-party meeting on the delimitation issue, which was boycotted by the BJP.
With multiple opposition-ruled states uniting on this issue, the delimitation debate is expected to intensify, potentially shaping political dynamics ahead of the next elections. The Joint Action Committee meeting marks the first major step in the opposition’s strategy to counter the Centre’s move.
