LS delimitation: Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin moots Joint Action Committee of MPs

Stepping up the pressure on Centre Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday proposed that the 1971 Census be the basis for delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies for 30 years starting 2026 and favoured a Joint Action Committee JAC involving all southern states to press for related demandsAt an allparty meeting on delimitation here that was attended by main opposition AIADMK among others Stalin moving a resolution said that in the event of increase in the number of seats in Parliament the 1971 Census should be the basis for it and that appropriate Constitutional amendment should be doneAlso the 1971 population data should be the basis for delimitation of LS seats for 30 years from 2026 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make an assurance in the Parliament he assertedThe JAC is to take forward such demands and create awareness among the people and the meet unanimously opposed delimitation exercise based on population which will be a threat to federalism and the rights of southern states to political representationTamil Nadus present representational percentage in Parliament which is 718 should not be changed under any circumstancesResolutions supported by parties including the Edappadi K Palaniswamiled AIADMK were passed in the meeting to urge the Centre to accept the demands of Tamil Nadu on the issue One of the key points underscored in the meeting was that there shall not be any reduction in the number of LS seatsThe meet underscored that Tamil Nadu is not against delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies However the proposed exercise must not become a punishment for implementing well the socioeconomic welfare measures during the past 50 yearsThe Centre declined to heed to the voice of the state which has 39 Lok Sabha MPs In case this number was reduced it would become a big injustice for the stateThe CM said that the allparty meeting is for understanding that the state has been pushed to a corner on the issue of delimitation thereby prompting it to take up a struggle movement to secure its rights The delimitation sword is hanging over the head of south India and Tamil Nadu will be severely affected Stalin allegedThe AIADMK the Congress and Left parties actorpolitician Vijays TVK Kamal Haasanfounded Makkal Needhi Maiam MNM among others attended the meeting which was boycotted by the BJP Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and former union minister GK Vasans Tamil Maanila Congress MoopanarThe ruling DMK has been staunchly opposing the delimitation exercise with party president and chief minister Stalin claiming it will lead to reduced LS seats in TN He has wondered whether the state was being punished for effective implementation of population control measures over the yearsRecently Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said the delimitation exercise will not affect southern states including Tamil Nadu and had accused Stalin of spreading a misinformation campaign on the matterSeeking to put to rest speculation on the subject he had asserted no southern state would see a reduction in the Parliamentary representation when delimitation will be done on prorata basis The DMK had questioned this assertion as well asking the basis for pro ratawhether on population or the existing constituency of MP or MLASCMs of two other southern statesSiddaramaiah and A Revanth Reddy of Congressruled Karnataka and Telangana respectively have also questioned Shah over his assertion on delimitationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever