The opposition has opened a front against the government on the issue of delimitation of Lok Sabha seats. The meeting of opposition parties on Saturday in Tamil Nadu is considered to be a major start of this campaign. The opposition is forming a strategy to pressurize the government within and outside Parliament to avoid the proposed delimitation process in 2026.
Increasing protest on delimitation
The delimitation of Lok Sabha seats was postponed till 2026 under the 84th Constitutional Amendment during the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Even then the South Indian states had objected to, as there was a possibility of seats cut due to lack of their population. Now the process of delimitation is likely to begin after the census in 2026, which can lead to 2029 general elections under new delimitation. In this, 33% seats are to be reserved for women.
Concern of southern states: 29 seats likely to decrease
There are 129 Lok Sabha seats in five states of South India, whose number may be less than 100 after delimitation.
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Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana are openly opposing the issue.
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Although the NDA has a government in Andhra Pradesh, the opposition YSR Congress is raising the issue. The pressure on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s party is also increasing to clarify the situation.
Opposition connecting delimitation with BJP’s strategy
The presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the meeting of opposition parties in Chennai indicates that it is not just a limited issue to South Indian states. The opposition is preparing to take it to the public by linking it to the BJP’s election strategy. Population -based delimitation will increase the seats of North India, which can directly benefit the BJP.
Question on the absence of Mamta Banerjee
Questions are being raised about the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the meeting, but it is believed that she will also be with the opposition. Currently 543 seats of Lok Sabha were decided on the basis of 1971 census. The delimitation was done in 2008, but then only the seats were restructured, there was no change in the number.
Opposition demand: appeal to postpone delimitation
In the meeting held on Saturday, the opposition demanded the central government to follow the Vajpayee government’s policy and postpone the delimitation.
BJP and RSS protest
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the opposition that DMK Tamil Nadu is raising emotional issues like delimitation and Hindi imposition keeping in mind the elections.
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RSS joint general secretary Arun Kumar questioned the leaders involved in the meeting whether they are really concerned about delimitation or it is just a political agenda.
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In Tamil Nadu, BJP leaders protested this meeting by showing black flags.
Reactions of main leaders
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Hemant Soren, Chief Minister, Jharkhand: It would not be appropriate to decide the delimitation only on the basis of population. A fair and equitable solution is needed.
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Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister, Punjab: The BJP wants to increase the seats of the states where it wins and wants to reduce the states where it gets defeat.
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Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala: This step is not inspired by constitutional principles but inspired by narrow political interests.
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MK Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu: Democracy and federal structure are being created crisis. A political and legal action plan will be prepared on this.
