The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Saturday passed an important resolution on the issue of delimitation, expressing concern over the lack of transparency on the central government. JAC clearly stated that the delimitation process should be completely transparent, so that governments, political parties and other stakeholders of all states can discuss it.

JAC also demanded from the central government that the ban on parliamentary constituencies should be extended for the next 25 years on the basis of the 1971 census.

Major demands of JAC

Complete transparency should be ensured in the delimitation process.
Based on the 1971 census, the current status of the constituencies should be retained for the next 25 years.
States that have effectively implemented population control measures should not cause loss in delimitation.
Necessary amendments should be made in the constitution so that states are not deprived of their rights.

JAC’s proposal stated that,

“To further strengthen democracy, there should be complete transparency in the delimitation process, so that all stakeholders can understand it and give their participation in it.”

Constitutional amendment and impact related to delimitation

JAC, citing the 42nd, 84th and 87th constitutional amendments in the proposal, said that the purpose of these amendments was to encourage states who successfully implemented the population control policy.

“The target of national population stabilization has not yet been achieved, so the ban on parliamentary constituencies on the basis of 1971 census should be extended for the next 25 years.”

JAC demanded the Central Government to ensure that the state who have been successful in population control should not be harmed in any way in delimitation.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s statement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is leading JAC, registered a strong protest against the delimitation policy of the central government.

“The proposed delimitation on the basis of the current population, the BJP -led Central Government, is a trick of the central government that wants to implement its secret intention. It should not be accepted.”

The JAC meeting was present at the meeting of three states, a Deputy Chief Minister and leaders of more than 20 political parties.

Stalin said that,

“BJP has always been a party depriving states of their rights. She has been doing injustice to the states in the name of delimitation.”

What will be the next step of JAC?

JAC has made a strategy to pressurize the Central Government to make necessary amendments to the Constitution.

• Further discussions will be held with the leaders of the states.

• The issue will be strongly raised in Parliament.

• If the government does not take transparency, then there may be a large scale protest.

JAC believes that if the central government does not deliver in a transparent manner, it can become a serious threat to democracy.