Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has emphasized the importance of fair delimitation, asserting that the issue affects not just the number of MPs but also the state’s rights.
A historic day for Indian federalism!
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 21, 2025
I extend my warmest welcome to the leaders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal & Punjab who are joining us for the Joint Action Committee meeting on #FairDelimitation.
The All-Party Meeting on March 5 was… pic.twitter.com/Wra2NmccIA
“Fair delimitation is the talk of the town right now. Why has the DMK brought this to focus? Because in 2026, delimitation will happen. And if the delimitation exercise is carried out based on population, our representation in Parliament will be severely affected. This is not just about the number of MPs but about our State’s rights. This is why we have convened a meeting of all parties. Except the BJP, every other party stood together as one,” Stalin said in a video posted on X.
The Tamil Nadu government, led by MK Stalin, has been at odds with the Central government over multiple issues, including the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the upcoming delimitation exercise.
Joint Action Committee Meeting on March 22
To address the issue, Stalin has called for a Joint Action Committee meeting on March 22 in Chennai, inviting representatives from various political parties to unite against what he termed a “blatant assault on federalism.”
Stalin has also written to the Chief Ministers of seven states, including both NDA-ruled and opposition states, urging them to oppose the “unfair” delimitation process.
Concerns Over Loss of Parliamentary Representation
Congress leader P. Chidambaram warned that if delimitation is conducted, Southern states could lose 26 seats in the Lok Sabha, thereby reducing their influence in national policymaking.
“Delimitation is a serious issue. It was frozen in 1971. A census taken after 2026 will lead to delimitation, followed by re-determination of the seats. According to our calculation, if it is redistributed according to the current population of states, and the state’s numbers are changed, our southern states, which have 129 seats, will come down to 103. The five southern states will lose 26 seats, whereas the populous states where population is growing will gain seats, especially UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan,” Chidambaram said.
With political leaders across the South voicing concerns, the March 22 meeting in Chennai is expected to be a crucial step in forming a unified opposition to the proposed delimitation changes.