Delimitation: MK Stalin’s All-Party Meeting Passes Resolutions Against Centre

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has reaffirmed the state’s opposition to any reduction in its parliamentary representation through the delimitation process. At an all-party meeting convened by the Tamil Nadu government, leaders set aside political differences to present a united front against what Stalin called an “unjust” initiative by the Union government.

“Thankful to all parties that stood together as a single unit in the All-Party Meeting convened by the Government of Tamil Nadu, setting aside political differences to send a clear and uncompromising message on the unjust delimitation initiative,” Stalin stated.

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The meeting passed several key resolutions, including a demand that the Union government abandon any move to reduce Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary seats, either in absolute numbers or percentage terms. Stalin insisted that the state should not be “punished for acting in the national interest by successfully controlling population growth.” He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide an unequivocal assurance in Parliament that the 1971 population-based seat allocation would be extended for another 30 years through a constitutional amendment.

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“If parliamentary seats are increased, Tamil Nadu’s representation must rise proportionally as per the existing framework. No manipulation or dilution of our rightful political voice will be acceptable. Tamil Nadu’s existing percentage of seats, 7.18 per cent of the total, must not be reduced under any circumstances,” Stalin asserted.

While Tamil Nadu does not oppose delimitation in principle, Stalin warned that it “cannot and will not allow it to be a disguised weapon against progressive states.” The meeting also resolved to form a Joint Action Committee with political parties from other South Indian states to fight against any unfair delimitation measures in every forum.

The controversy over delimitation gained momentum after Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured southern states last recently that they would not lose “even a single seat” following fresh constituency reallocation. His comments were meant to pacify concerns in Tamil Nadu and Kerala about a potential loss of representation if the exercise were based solely on population data.

Delimitation, which adjusts the number of constituencies in Parliament and state Assemblies according to the latest Census, has been a politically sensitive issue. Article 81 of the Constitution upholds the principle of “one citizen, one vote, one value,” while Article 82 mandates seat readjustment after each Census. However, due to concerns about regional imbalances, the Constitution (Eighty-Fourth Amendment) Act of 2002 froze constituency boundaries until the first Census after 2026.

Historically, the process has been conducted after the 1951, 1961, 1971, and 2001 Censuses. The last major delimitation in 1972 fixed the number of Lok Sabha seats at 543, ensuring each MP represented roughly a million people. Since then, the population has grown significantly, leading to calls for an updated allocation of seats. The fear in southern states, however, is that the North’s higher population growth will translate into more seats, reducing the political influence of states that have successfully controlled their populations.

The delimitation process involves a commission appointed by the President, comprising a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner, and the State Election Commissioners. While associate members, including sitting MPs and MLAs, provide inputs, they do not have decision-making powers. The commission operates independently, and its decisions cannot be challenged in court.

Census data serve as the primary basis for delimitation, guiding the redrawing of electoral boundaries based on geographical contiguity, population density, and socio-economic factors. They also determine the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), ensuring proportional representation. However, Tamil Nadu and other southern states argue that using population figures as the primary criterion could unfairly penalise them for successfully implementing family planning policies.

The fear among southern leaders is that delimitation could solidify the BJP’s dominance in the Hindi heartland while marginalising states where the party lacks a strong presence. Except for Karnataka, the BJP has struggled to make electoral inroads in the South, leading to concerns that Tamil Nadu and other states could become politically irrelevant at the national level.

Following the all-party meeting, Stalin reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu would not accept any move that undermines its political representation. “We are not against delimitation, but it must be fair and just. Any attempt to dilute Tamil Nadu’s voice in Parliament will be met with fierce opposition,” he declared.

BJP, meanwhile, abstained from the meeting and its state president Annamalai criticised CM Stalin for convening the meeting: “Today’s all-party meeting, conducted by TN CM MK Stalin, seemed like the effects of prolonged Halucination. We also know the cause. Come 2026, we will ensure ample rest is given to MK Stalin” the BJP leader said.