Tamil Nadu’s delimitation dilemma: DMK reaffirms Opposition as CM Vijay calls all-party MPs’ meet

New Delhi: The Centre’s push to revive the delimitation exercise, tying it directly to women’s reservation, has triggered fresh political friction in Tamil Nadu. Rumours had been swirling that the DMK was loosening its stance on the controversial bill, creating anxiety within the INDIA bloc. However, Udhayanidhi Stalin quickly shut down those whispers, clarifying to India Today that the party’s position remains completely unchanged.

The opposition previously managed to defeat the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in April. That draft aimed to lift the freeze on expanding Lok Sabha seats and recalculate them based on the 2011 Census, potentially expanding Parliament from 543 to 850 seats. Since then, political equations in the state have shifted considerably, especially after the DMK exited the national alliance.

Reports by The Hindu had suggested the DMK might relent if three specific demands were met. These included retaining the 1971 Census as the baseline for the next 25 years, securing a blanket 50% increase in seats for all states, and publishing a clear state-wise breakdown of seats. Addressing these reports, Udhayanidhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, stressed that the party has consistently opposed delimitation from the start and will continue to do so.

Why Southern states are worried

The fundamental objection from southern states stems from population control. Having successfully implemented family planning over decades, states like Tamil Nadu fear they will be penalised under a population-based seat allocation. Even if every state received a uniform 50% boost in representation, northern states with higher population growth would still widen the seat gap significantly.

To put this in perspective, Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor recently pointed out using a salary analogy on X that a uniform percentage increase still leaves larger states far further ahead. For instance, Uttar Pradesh would jump from 80 to 120 seats, while Kerala would move from 20 to 30. That expands UP’s lead over Kerala from 60 to 90 MPs, diluting the South’s political voice and financial share in Delhi.

CM Vijay steps in to build consensus

Amid these growing concerns, Chief Minister Vijay has called a meeting with Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs this Saturday. The aim is to forge a common voice against what Vijay termed a “biased move.”

The initiative received praise from Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who noted that inviting MPs across party lines was a rare and constructive step. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi warned against supporting the bill, taking a veiled jab at supporters by labelling them “21st-century Ettappans.” With DMK holding the largest share of Tamil Nadu MPs, their stance during Saturday’s meeting will be crucial in deciding the state’s collective strategy.