DMK, AIADMK Boycott Vijay Delimitation Meet
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s all-party MPs meeting on delimitation has been hit by a major boycott, with the DMK, AIADMK and several other parties staying away. Only 20 of Tamil Nadu’s 57 MPs were expected to participate in the consultation in Chennai on Saturday.
DMK, AIADMK Boycott Vijay Delimitation Meeting
All 30 DMK MPs and four AIADMK MPs stayed away from the meeting. MPs from the PMK, Makkal Needhi Maiam and DMDK also joined the boycott.
The meeting was convened by Vijay to discuss the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies and its possible impact on Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament.
DMK leaders described the consultation as unnecessary and accused the TVK government of attempting to divert attention from the Cauvery and Mekedatu dispute. The DMK has instead demanded an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu issue.
Congress Backs Vijay’s Delimitation Talks
Congress MPs participated despite the boycott by the major Dravidian parties. Twelve Congress MPs were listed among those attending, alongside two MPs each from the VCK, CPI and CPI(M), and one each from the MDMK and IUML.
Congress leaders argued that political differences should be set aside because delimitation could have long-term implications for Tamil Nadu’s representation.
Tamil Nadu Parties Divided Over Delimitation
The controversy comes amid concerns that a population-based delimitation exercise could alter the balance of parliamentary representation between states.
Vijay called the meeting in an attempt to develop a common position among Tamil Nadu MPs. However, with 37 of the state’s 57 MPs staying away, the consultation highlighted sharp political divisions over how Tamil Nadu should respond to the delimitation issue.
