Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi has called on the central government to provide clear explanations regarding the proposed delimitation exercise, expressing concerns that southern states may lose parliamentary representation under the new framework.
Speaking out against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kanimozhi asserted that the process should not be driven by political motives and warned that states like Tamil Nadu, which have effectively controlled population growth, should not be penalized.
“We want clarity. The Centre should tell us on what basis delimitation will be done and ensure that justice is served. We should not be losing our representation in Parliament,” she stated.
Kanimozhi’s remarks came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit to Coimbatore, mentioned that delimitation would be carried out on a “pro rata” basis. However, the term has sparked confusion, with Kanimozhi insisting that the Union government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, must clarify its meaning.
“If delimitation is based on population, Tamil Nadu could lose at least 10 seats, along with several other southern states that have managed population control effectively,” she warned.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva echoed her concerns, stating that the party has raised its voice at the right time. “If delimitation happens, southern states will lose seats while northern states will gain more. Even the new Parliament was designed to accommodate 1,000 members, anticipating an increase in Lok Sabha seats to around 840. This would mean that decisions would be dominated by regions with higher population growth,” Siva explained.
The delimitation debate has sparked a political storm in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged the people to “rise” against what he calls an unfair process, framing it as a battle to protect the state’s interests. The Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, however, dismissed the concerns as “imaginary fears” and announced that his party would boycott an all-party meeting on March 5 convened by Stalin.
Despite reassurances from Amit Shah that southern states would not be disadvantaged, opposition parties remain skeptical. They argue that a population-based delimitation would unfairly benefit northern states while reducing representation for regions that have successfully controlled demographic growth.
