Will the delimitation issue not be able to touch the Modi government? Opposition scattered in the first meeting itself

New Delhi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is looking very serious about the delimitation issue and he is leaving no stone unturned to prove the BJP government anti-South. He says that if delimitation is done on the basis of population, then the South is going to suffer huge losses for both Lok Sabha and Assembly. On this issue, he had called a big meeting of opposition parties in Chennai on Saturday. Apart from Odisha and Punjab, Congress leaders of southern states also participated in this meeting. However, the parties of Hindi belt and Maharashtra distanced themselves in the first meeting itself. At the same time, TMC also did not attend this meeting. In such a situation, it has also come to light from this meeting that the entire opposition is not united on the issue of delimitation.

The states of the south say that if delimitation is done on the basis of population, then their seats will be reduced. After the 2026 census, delimitation of Lok Sabha seats is to be done. DMK did not invite opposition parties of the north to this meeting. Apart from SP and RJD, many other parties were also included in it. Apart from this, Shiv Sena and NCP from Maharashtra were also not included. TMC was called to the meeting but TMC did not participate in the meeting.

If we talk about the Lok Sabha elections in 1977, on an average there was one MP for 10.11 lakh people. Now if delimitation happens, then seats will increase in the northern states and West Bengal. Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal can increase from 42 to 66. This will happen when the population of 15 lakh will be considered as the basis. On the other hand, even if delimitation happens on the basis of population of 20 lakh, then there will be 50 seats in West Bengal. In such a situation, TMC has not yet clarified its stand on this matter.

On the other hand, if reports are to be believed, Samajwadi Party also does not want to discuss this matter right now. Samajwadi Party is primarily a party of Uttar Pradesh and on the basis of population, Lok Sabha seats will definitely increase in Uttar Pradesh.

After delimitation, seats will also increase in Tamil Nadu, although their number will not be doubled. In Kerala, seats can increase from 20 to 36. If delimitation is done on the basis of population of 20 lakhs, then the Lok Sabha seats will increase from 543 to 707. In such a situation, the states of the south are sure to lose seats. With this formula, Tamil Nadu will be able to get only 39 seats. At the same time, Kerala will lose two seats. UP, Bihar and Jharkhand will benefit from this. If delimitation is done on the basis of population of 15 lakhs, then the total seats will become 942. Southern states will get fewer seats than the states of the north.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) passed a resolution on the issue of delimitation on Saturday. In this, concern has been raised about the lack of transparency from the central government. JAC demanded from the central government that there should be complete transparency in any delimitation process. Also, the ban imposed on parliamentary constituencies on the basis of 1971 census should be extended for the next 25 years. The proposal said, ‘To improve the character of democracy, there should be clarity in the delimitation process by the Central Government, so that political parties, state governments and other stakeholders of all the states can deliberate, discuss and contribute to it.’

The proposal further said, ‘The purpose of the 42nd, 84th and 87th Constitutional Amendments was to encourage those states which have effectively implemented population control measures. Also, the goal of national population stabilization has not been achieved yet. Therefore, the ban imposed on parliamentary constituencies on the basis of 1971 census should be extended for the next 25 years.’ The JAC led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged the Central Government not to punish those states which have effectively implemented the population control program.

What was the demand in the proposal
The JAC said in the proposal, ‘The states which have effectively implemented the population control program and whose population share has decreased. Now they should not be punished. For this, the central government will have to make the necessary constitutional amendments.’ MK Stalin said that the proposed delimitation on the basis of the existing population is a ploy of the BJP-led central government to implement its hidden intentions and should not be accepted. The first JAC meeting was held in the presence of the Chief Ministers of three states, a Deputy Chief Minister and leaders of more than 20 political parties. During this, Stalin said that the BJP has always been a party that deprives the states of their rights.