DMK Reiterates Opposition To Delimitation As Vijay Calls MPs’ Meeting

The DMK on Friday reiterated its opposition to the proposed delimitation exercise as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay called a meeting with the state’s MPs to discuss the issue.

The announcement follows a rising tide of doubt about the Centre’s plans to re-start the delimitation process, which has been associated with the policy of women reservation.

Udhayanidhi Stalin explained the DMK’s stance that they have always been against delimitation and so will they remain.

The problem has turned into a big political factor in the state of Tamil Nadu with apprehensions regarding the possible redistribution of Lok Sabha seats and repercussions on states.

The proposed delimitation exercise is expected to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on the 2011 Census. According to the report, the exercise could increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850.

While clarifying the DMK’s perspective on the bill, Udhayanidhi said, “The DMK has always opposed delimitation. We will continue to oppose it in the future.” “This is not a new issue. The Centre is presenting it as if it has surfaced for the first time,” said the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The DMK has demanded that the 1971 Census, rather than the 2011 Census, should remain the basis for Lok Sabha delimitation for the next 25 years.

The party has also sought a blanket 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for all states. According to the report, Union Home Minister Amit Shah verbally promised such an increase when the bill was brought before Parliament in April.

Another demand of the DMK is for the proposed legislation to include a state-wise list showing the number of Lok Sabha seats each state would have after the delimitation exercise.

Earlier, a united opposition defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in April. The bill proposed lifting the freeze on increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats.

DMK supremo MK Stalin had also symbolically burned a copy of the bill in protest.

The latest clarification from Udhayanidhi came after a report claimed that the DMK might support the proposed delimitation bill if certain changes were incorporated. However, Udhayanidhi reiterated the party’s opposition to the exercise.

The DMK has 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha and eight in the Rajya Sabha, according to the report. With Vijay calling the meeting with state MPs, delimitation is set to remain a key political issue in Tamil Nadu.