Tamil Nadu unites over Delimitation Bill? DMK clarifies stand, Vijay takes lead

The debate over the proposed delimitation exercise has once again taken centre stage in Tamil Nadu after the Centre indicated its intention to revive the legislation linked to the implementation of women's reservation.

Amid speculation that the DMK had softened its position, senior party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin dismissed the reports and reaffirmed the party's stand.

"The DMK has always opposed delimitation. We will continue to oppose it in the future," Udhayanidhi told India Today.

He also said, "This is not a new issue. The Centre is presenting it as if it has surfaced for the first time."

The clarification comes after reports suggested the DMK could support the proposed legislation if certain changes were incorporated.

Why delimitation has become a political flashpoint

The proposed Bill seeks to redraw parliamentary constituencies using the 2011 Census and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu and several southern states have opposed the proposal, arguing that states which successfully controlled population growth could lose political influence if parliamentary representation is linked to population.

The DMK has maintained that the 1971 Census should continue to be the basis for delimitation for the next 25 years. The party has also sought a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states and has demanded that the proposed legislation clearly specify each state's future seat allocation.

Debate over a uniform increase

Supporters of the southern states' position argue that even an equal percentage increase in seats would not eliminate the gap between larger and smaller states.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor illustrated this argument through an analogy on social media, saying, "Say your salary is Rs 2 lakh, and your driver's is Rs 20,000. A 50 per cent increase will take your salary to Rs 3 lakh and that of your driver's to Rs 30,000. The percentage increase is the same, but aren't you much better off than your driver?"

The example has been cited by leaders opposing the proposed delimitation exercise, who argue that larger northern states would continue to gain greater parliamentary strength despite a uniform increase.

Vijay calls all-party MPs' meeting

Against this backdrop, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has convened a meeting of the state's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs to discuss the proposed delimitation exercise and its possible impact on the state.

The move has received support from Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who said, "Over the past 12 years, I have seen five chief ministers as MPs. However, this is the first time I have seen a Tamil Nadu Chief Minister take the step of personally inviting MPs from all parties for a consultation, without any political differences."

The meeting comes at a politically significant time, with parties in the state continuing to debate the future of the proposed delimitation exercise and its implications for Tamil Nadu's representation in Parliament.