MK Stalin’s anti-delimitation movement is gaining momentum in southern states, as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) has confirmed his participation in an all-party meeting called by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in Chennai on March 22.
KTR’s confirmation follows a meeting with a delegation from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, led by Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru and Rajya Sabha MP NR Elango, who extended the invitation to BRS.
The upcoming meeting, chaired by DMK chief Stalin, aims to address the controversial issue of delimitation and its potential adverse effects on parliamentary representation for south Indian states.
During a joint press conference, the leaders emphasized the necessity for united action to defend the interests of south India against the Centre’s proposed delimitation policy.
KTR CRITICIZES CENTRE’S DELIMITATION POLICY
Following his meeting with the DMK delegation, KTR criticized the Centre’s approach to delimitation, which is based on the latest census population figures.
He contended that this decision would unfairly penalize states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka—regions that have successfully implemented family planning initiatives over the years.
“It is unacceptable that the Centre aims to reduce the parliamentary representation of states that have complied with its own family planning directives,” KTR remarked, labeling the policy as a “grave injustice” to south India.
He raised concerns over the broader implications, stating that determining parliamentary seats based solely on population could undermine the political influence of south Indian states in the Lok Sabha. “This is more than a Telangana issue; it’s a matter for all of south India. If we fail to unify now, our representation and impact on national policymaking will be severely compromised,” he warned.
“Following KCR’s guidance, we will participate in the March 22 meeting to ensure that Telangana’s concerns and the BRS’s position are clearly articulated,” KTR stated.
The delimitation process, slated to take effect post-2026, will redraw parliamentary constituencies according to population data.
The DMK alleges that southern states have successfully managed birth rates, potentially facing a reduction in parliamentary representation, while northern states with higher population growth stand to gain seats. Stalin advocates for delimitation based on the 1971 census.
