The meeting saw resistance from Kerala CM and other leaders, who alleged that the move would reduce parliamentary representation for southern states while benefiting the north.
Stalin calls for legal and political action
Stalin emphasised that legal action will be pursued to challenge the delimitation process. He called for the formation of an expert panel under the JAC to outline the legal and political strategy.
“We are not against delimitation, but we demand fair delimitation,” Stalin said.
He stressed that the JAC must raise public awareness and pressure the Centre to ensure equitable seat distribution.
Why are southern states opposing delimitation?
Under the proposed changes, Lok Sabha seats will be reallocated based on population.
Since southern states have controlled population growth, they risk losing seats, while northern states could gain representation.
Key concerns raised in the meeting:
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP of pushing delimitation for political gain, calling it a threat to federalism.
Congress leader P Chidambaram warned that southern states could lose 26 Lok Sabha seats, reducing their strength from 129 to 103.
Stalin highlighted that states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab must unite to fight this issue.
In a video message released before the meeting, Stalin called March 22 a “historic day for Indian federalism”. He reiterated that the fight was not just about numbers but about protecting the rights of southern states.
“We have passed a resolution for fair delimitation and reached out to major parties across affected states. A delegation of ministers and MPs met with key leaders to explain our stance,” Stalin stated.
What’s next?
The JAC will finalise legal strategies in the coming weeks. Southern states are expected to challenge the process legally and politically.
(Edited by : Anshul)
First Published: Mar 22, 2025 2:26 PM IST
