Delimitation: Stalin writes to CMs of seven states, calls for unified action against centre

‘For the record, we are not against delimitation’ Stressing the need to rise above political differences, Stalin wrote, “What is at stake is not any abstract principle -- it is our states’ ability to secure rightful resources for development, to influence crucial policies on education and healthcare and to ensure our economic priorities receive due attention in the national agenda.” He said the issue transcended individual states’ concerns as it “strikes at the heart of our federal principles” and called for a joint examination of delimitation across the constitutional, legal, and political dimensions and development of alternatives that preserve the existing share of representation. Stating that delimitation could now happen much earlier, he said, “This acceleration gives us very little time to protect our interests.” Stalin said the situation may become “drastically skewed” if the exercise is conducted based on the next census population. “Their representatives have vaguely stated that delimitation would follow a ‘pro-rata’ basis, without explaining the base used for such pro-rata calculation as well as raising an empty rhetoric that no state will face a decrease in its seats,” he said. Stalin explained that irrespective of two potential approaches being considered for delimitation -- one by retaining the total number of LS seats at 543 and the other where seats could be increased beyond 800 -- the states that controlled population effectively stand to lose significantly if the exercise is based on post-2026 population.