There is a deep concern in the states of South India regarding the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats. The Lok Sabha seats of several states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka are expected to be reduced, due to which the issue is being done politically.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called an emergency meeting of all parties on this subject, while Karnataka Chief Minister M. Siddaramaiah has also asked the central government that there will be no cut in the seats of the states of South India.

Siddaramaiah sought guarantee from Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier made a statement that the Lok Sabha seats of Tamil Nadu or any other state in South India would not be reduced. However, Siddaramaiah is not satisfied with this assurance and has asked the Center to guarantee delimitation on the basis of the 1971 census.

Siddaramaiah said:

“If delimited on the basis of the 2025 census, the Lok Sabha seats of five states of South India will be reduced.”

He sought clear assurance from the Home Minister that the basis of delimitation would be the 1971 census.

“If Home Minister Amit Shah says that the figures of 1971 will be used, then the states of South India will not be harmed.”

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Why are the states of South India afraid of delimitation?

According to reports, the Lok Sabha seats of the states of North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may increase after delimitation.
In contrast, the seats of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh may either decrease or remain the same.
This is likely to reduce the representation of South India in Parliament, which has become a matter of deep concern for the leaders of these states.

Debate arose from Tamil Nadu, spread across South India

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin first raised the issue. After this, leaders of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka also objected to this.

Siddaramaiah says that if the delimitation is done on the basis of the current population, then the states of the south will suffer losses, while North India will benefit.

Opposition parties argue that it can tilt the “political balance” towards North India, which can weaken the voice of the south states.

Will the central government remove the concerns of South India?

Now the question is what the central government takes on this issue.

Will the delimitation process be revised keeping in mind the concerns of South India?
Or will it be carried forward only on the basis of new population data?
Will this issue play an important role in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

This debate is now not only political, but also with the balance of representation in the Constitution and democracy. Now it has to be seen what decision the central government takes on this issue and whether the concerns of South India are resolved or not.