Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the Centre over the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that the Union government is attempting to push through a Constitutional amendment without adequate consultation with states.
Stalin said Tamil Nadu would launch a “massive agitation” if the state’s interests were harmed or if southern states faced disproportionate representation as a result of the exercise. His remarks come ahead of a special sitting of Parliament scheduled for April 16, where discussions are expected on amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 and a proposed Delimitation Bill aimed at implementing one-third reservation for women in Parliament.
In a video statement, Stalin expressed concern over the timing of the session, alleging it was being convened amid ongoing election campaigns in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. He accused the Centre of attempting to “bulldoze” a Constitutional amendment on delimitation without building consensus among states.
“This video serves two purposes — to highlight the grave danger at Tamil Nadu’s doorstep and to issue a clear warning to the Union government,” Stalin said, adding that democratic processes must not be bypassed in matters affecting federal balance.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that Tamil Nadu and other southern states had adhered to population control and family planning policies encouraged by the Centre in previous decades. He warned that these states could now be unfairly penalised in terms of parliamentary representation if delimitation is carried out based solely on population.
The issue of delimitation has sparked renewed political debate, with several southern states expressing apprehension over a potential shift in political representation in favour of more populous northern regions.
