Fri Mar 21 07:03:39 UTC 2025: ## Southern States Unite Against Proposed Delimitation, Claiming Assault on Federalism

**Chennai, March 21, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has spearheaded a coalition of seven southern and eastern states to oppose the upcoming delimitation exercise, claiming it constitutes a blatant attack on India’s federal structure. The joint action committee, formed in response to concerns about the redrawing of parliamentary and assembly constituencies, will hold a crucial meeting this weekend.

The planned delimitation, scheduled for 2026, will use 2026 population data to redraw constituency boundaries, potentially increasing the total number of seats. Tamil Nadu, along with states like Odisha, Punjab, and West Bengal, fears this will disproportionately benefit northern, Hindi-speaking states, largely seen as BJP strongholds, at the expense of states that have successfully controlled population growth.

Stalin argues that basing delimitation on current population levels penalizes states like Tamil Nadu, which have prioritized population control. He claims this will reduce their representation in Parliament, silencing their voices and compromising their rights. This, he asserts, is a deliberate attempt to undermine states that have governed efficiently and contributed significantly to national progress.

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have offered assurances that no state will lose seats, Stalin remains unconvinced. He points out that these assurances fail to address the potential gains for northern states and the consequential shift in power dynamics. Tamil Nadu seeks to maintain its current proportional representation in Parliament, even if other states experience an increase in seats.

The proposed delimitation has been met with widespread opposition. A previous all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu, attended by all parties except the BJP, unanimously called for delimitation based on 1971 population figures, to be maintained for 30 years. Congress, a key ally of the DMK, has also voiced strong support, with its leaders in Telangana and Karnataka echoing concerns about the BJP’s alleged attempt to undermine states that resist its influence. The upcoming meeting is expected to solidify the opposition’s strategy and further escalate the conflict over the proposed delimitation.

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