Tamil Nadu Leaders Unite Against Delimitation, Urge PM Modi to Follow 1971 Census
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin led an all-party meeting on Wednesday to address concerns over delimitation and ‘Hindi imposition,’ two contentious issues fueling tensions between the state and the BJP-led central government. The meeting saw participation from political rivals, including AIADMK, while the BJP and its ally, Tamil Manila Congress (M), chose to stay away.
During the discussion, Stalin introduced a resolution urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that any delimitation exercise is based on the 1971 population levels and remains unchanged for the next 30 years. The move aims to prevent states like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully controlled their population growth, from being penalized with reduced parliamentary representation. The resolution also called for a constitutional amendment to maintain proportional representation if the total number of MPs increases.
The DMK, along with several other Tamil Nadu parties, argues that a population-based delimitation process could unfairly reduce the state’s seats in Parliament while benefiting northern states with higher population growth. Stalin highlighted that back in 2000, then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had assured states that delimitation would be based on the 1971 census, and he urged PM Modi to uphold the same promise from 2026 onward.
A Joint Effort for Awareness
The resolution proposed forming a joint action committee with MPs from Tamil Nadu and other southern states to spread awareness about the issue. Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu is not against delimitation but insisted it should not become a punishment for states that have prioritized family planning and social welfare programs.
DMK vs BJP: The Political Battle Heats Up
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on the horizon, delimitation has become a major political flashpoint. The DMK warns that the process could diminish the voices of southern states in Parliament, while the BJP has assured that no state will lose seats. However, Stalin remains skeptical, pointing out that while Tamil Nadu may not lose MPs, northern states could still gain more, shifting the balance of power.
On ‘Hindi Imposition’
The meeting also addressed concerns over the alleged imposition of Hindi through the three-language policy. The BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit has launched a door-to-door campaign supporting the policy, while the DMK and AIADMK argue that it indirectly forces Hindi onto Tamil speakers.
With strong opposition building in the state, delimitation is expected to remain a key issue in the upcoming elections, setting the stage for a fierce political battle between the DMK and BJP.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
