Tamil Nadu delimitation row: Vijay seeks guarantee on southern states' seats, Opposition sees U-turn

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s latest remarks on delimitation have triggered a political row in the state, with the DMK and AIADMK accusing him of changing his position on how parliamentary seats should be protected.

Speaking at the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Mahabalipuram on Thursday, Vijay sought a “clear legislative assurance” from the Centre that states which have successfully controlled population growth should not lose their share of representation in Parliament.

“I urge the Union government to provide a clear legislative assurance that no state will suffer a reduction in its percentage of representation in Parliament on account of its success in population stabilisation,” Vijay said.

Opposition calls it a U-turn

The remarks were compared with the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 12, which called for the Lok Sabha’s strength to remain at 543 and the existing distribution of seats among states to be maintained. Vijay had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking constitutional changes to protect the current allocation.

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai accused Vijay of “flip-flopping” on delimitation.

The AIADMK also alleged that the chief minister had made a “U-turn” and questioned the difference between his latest demand and the Centre’s position.

“What you are saying now is exactly the same thing the Union government said. And that is why the AIADMK supported the delimitation bill when it was introduced,” the party’s IT Wing said in a social media post.

“Why conduct such a resolution drama just to flip-flop like this?” it asked.

TVK says position unchanged

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rejected the criticism and said there had been no change in its position.

“In the speech delivered by the Chief Minister... a broad visionary perspective was presented to protect the current representation of Southern states that have successfully implemented population control. The resolution passed in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 12 articulates this in actionable terms,” the party’s IT Wing said.

The party also accused critics of spreading “misleading opinions” about its stand on delimitation.

Speaking outside the meeting, minister for energy resources and law CTR Nirmalkumar said the government continued to support keeping the Lok Sabha at its existing strength.

“There is no change in TVK’s stance on the delimitation issue. There is no change in our position that the number of Lok Sabha seats should remain at 543,” he said.

The controversy comes as southern states remain concerned that a population-based delimitation could alter their share of parliamentary representation.