India, Aug. 7 -- The proposed delimitation exercise has once again emerged as a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu after the Centre indicated its intention to revive the delimitation bill alongside the implementation of women's reservation. Amid speculation that the DMK had softened its stand on the issue, senior party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin clarified that the party has consistently opposed delimitation and will continue to do so. The clarification comes at a time when differing political voices have surfaced over the proposed exercise. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has called a meeting of Members of Parliament from the state to discuss the possible implications of delimitation. Until now, the DMK had not taken an aggressive public position despite reports suggesting the bill could return, leading to concerns among opposition parties, particularly the Congress. Also Read - Manipur CM announces free movement for all communities on NH-2 and NH-37 Rahul Gandhi also appeared to criticise those supporting the proposal, referring to them as "21st-century Ettappans" - a term commonly used in Tamil Nadu to describe someone viewed as a traitor. According to Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK's opposition to delimitation is neither new nor a reaction to recent developments. "The DMK has always opposed delimitation and will continue to oppose it. The Centre is portraying it as a new issue, but our stand has remained unchanged," he said. His remarks followed media reports claiming that the DMK could back the bill if certain changes were incorporated. The party, which has 22 Lok Sabha MPs and eight Rajya Sabha members, is among the largest regional parties in Parliament. Also Read - Youth made to generate data for money-minting industrialists, stuck in 'chakravyuh', says Rahul Reports suggested the DMK has proposed three key changes. First, it wants the 1971 Census to remain the basis for delimitation instead of the 2011 Census for the next 25 years. Second, it has sought a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats for every state, a proposal that it says had received a verbal assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah during discussions in Parliament. Third, the party wants the legislation to clearly specify the number of seats each state would receive after delimitation. The clarification also comes months after DMK president M.K. Stalin symbolically burnt a copy of the proposed bill in protest. It also follows recent political realignments after the DMK and Congress parted ways nationally over the Congress's decision to back Vijay's TVK in Tamil Nadu. Also Read - TN MPs close ranks against delimitation; DMK, AIADMK boycott meeting The issue remains particularly sensitive in Tamil Nadu and other southern states, where political parties argue that linking parliamentary representation to population growth would disproportionately benefit northern states that have recorded faster population growth over the years. Southern states contend that they should not be penalised for successfully implementing population control measures. They fear the proposed exercise could reduce their relative influence in Parliament while strengthening representation from northern states, where the BJP has a stronger electoral presence. There are also concerns that reduced parliamentary weight could eventually affect the distribution of central funds. Also Read - BJP responsible over rising crime in Haryana: Hooda The five southern states - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana - together account for roughly one-fourth of India's population. Tamil Nadu currently elects 39 Lok Sabha members, accounting for about 7.2 per cent of the House. Even if every state receives a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats, as proposed by the DMK, Tamil Nadu's tally would rise only to 59 seats. However, critics argue that such an increase would still widen the gap between larger and smaller states. For example, Uttar Pradesh's representation would increase from 80 to 120 seats, while Kerala's would rise from 20 to 30 seats, expanding the numerical difference between the two states despite both receiving the same percentage increase. Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor recently illustrated this concern through a salary analogy on social media, saying that while a 50 per cent raise benefits everyone equally in percentage terms, those starting with a much larger base continue to enjoy a significantly greater advantage. Against this backdrop, Chief Minister Vijay has convened a meeting of Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs to deliberate on the proposed delimitation exercise and formulate the state's response. Vijay has previously described the proposed exercise as a "biased move" and has consistently opposed it. His decision to invite MPs from across party lines has drawn appreciation from Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who said it was the first time in over a decade that a Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had personally invited MPs from all political parties for consultations without political differences. Tagore also stressed the need for Tamil Nadu to present a united stand against the Centre's proposal. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has already informed Union Minister Kiren Rijiju that the opposition does not support the proposed delimitation bill. The timing of Vijay's meeting is politically significant as relations between the DMK and TVK have remained strained in recent weeks. The recent arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin over alleged remarks concerning actor Trisha, who is considered close to Vijay, has further intensified tensions. With the DMK holding the largest number of MPs from Tamil Nadu, its position is expected to play a key role in shaping the outcome of the discussions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.