Tamil Nadu hosts multi-state meeting for 'fair delimitation', BJP stages protest

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin today organised the first Joint Action Committee meeting for the states to be affected by the delimitation exercise. MK STALIN: THREAT TO INDIA’S FEDERALISM Calling it a “defining moment", Stalin asserted that if Tamil Nadu and other states’ representation is lost due to the upcoming delimitation exercise, it will be a blow to the “foundation of India’s federalism.” Speaking in Tamil at the meeting, Stalin said: “Delimitation will affect states that have successfully implemented Family Planning. He also moved a resolution to call the meeting ‘Fair Delimitation Joint Action Group.’ PINARAYI: DELIMITATION LOOMS LIKE ‘SWORD OF DAMOCLES’ Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticised the Union government’s push for the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, calling it a move driven by “narrow political ends” rather than constitutional principles. If delimitation proceeds, he demanded the South’s Lok Sabha share rise from 24 per cent to 33 per cent, warning, “Anything less would reduce us to passive spectators in India’s political theatre.” He urged all South Indian states and Punjab to unite, vowing to pass a resolution in Telangana’s assembly and calling on others to follow: “Let India hear the strong voice of the South.” BHAGWANT MANN: ONLY HINDI-SPEAKING STATES WILL BENEFIT Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who began his speech in Hindi, said the BJP wanted to reduce the seats of the states where they were losing. “The Constitution was amended twice to freeze delimitation,” recognising the efforts of states that controlled population growth, said Udhayanidhi Stalin, explaining that the freeze expires in 2026, and “there is no clear stance from the Union government on whether it will be extended.” You can hear the full speech here: DK SHIVAKUMAR: SOUTHERN STATES ATM MACHINES FOR THE NORTH Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar condemned the proposed delimitation as a political assault on southern states, arguing it penalised those who controlled population growth and drove India’s economy.