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Southern States Seek 25-Year Freeze on Lok Sabha Delimitation
In a strong show of regional unity, five southern Indian states have come together to demand a 25-year extension on the freeze of Lok Sabha constituency delimitation. The leaders argue that any population-based redistribution of parliamentary seats would unfairly punish states that have successfully controlled population growth.
The initiative was spearheaded by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who convened a high-level meeting of leaders and representatives from southern and non-BJP ruled states. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed during the meeting called for the total number of Lok Sabha seats to remain capped at 543 and urged the central government to bring in a constitutional amendment to maintain the status quo.
Delimitation Fears Among Southern States
The proposed delimitation exercise after the 2026 census has raised serious concerns among states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. These states believe they could lose representation in the Lok Sabha because of their effective population control efforts, while states with higher population growth may gain seats.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan voiced this collective fear, stating that the looming delimitation “is hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles.” The JAC emphasized that penalizing states for implementing population control would contradict the spirit of previous constitutional amendments that froze delimitation to promote responsible governance.
Unified Strategy for Representation
To ensure coordinated efforts, the JAC has decided to form a core committee of Members of Parliament from the concerned states. This committee will engage with the Prime Minister and other central leaders to put forth a unified appeal during the current parliamentary session. Legislative assemblies of the participating states will also pass resolutions reflecting this stance.
The committee’s resolution made it clear that population should not be the sole criterion for delimitation. “States that have effectively implemented population control programs should not be penalised by reducing their seats in Parliament,” the resolution stated.
Public Mobilization and Wider Support
The JAC announced plans to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at educating citizens on the impact of the proposed delimitation. This move is designed to mobilize mass support and push for equitable treatment in the national legislative structure.
The meeting saw participation from Chief Ministers of Kerala, Telangana, and Punjab, along with Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister. While West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress did not attend the meeting, it conveyed its support and is expected to participate in future discussions. Odisha’s ruling party was also represented, indicating that concern over the issue extends beyond the southern region.
This united demand reflects growing regional concerns that the upcoming delimitation exercise could distort parliamentary balance and weaken the principle of cooperative federalism that underpins the Indian Constitution.
