Synopsis
Chennai's all-party meeting on delimitation, led by CM M.K. Stalin, faces boycotts from BJP, NTK, and TMC. CM urges unity on this crucial issue impacting Tamil Nadu's representation and rights. The meeting aims to address concerns over potential losses in parliamentary seats.Key Takeaways
- CM Stalin convenes all-party meeting on delimitation.
- BJP, NTK, TMC choose to boycott the discussion.
- AIADMK confirms participation amidst calls for unity.
- Concerns raised over potential loss of Lok Sabha seats.
- Delimitation process seen as critical for fair representation.
Chennai, March 5 (NationPress) The all-party gathering led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to deliberate on matters concerning the delimitation of constituencies is scheduled for Wednesday at the secretariat here. Notably, the BJP, NTK, and the Tamil Maanila Congress have opted to abstain from this meeting.
In his appeal to all political factions, CM Stalin urged their participation, highlighting that the issue pertains to the fundamental rights of Tamil Nadu. He confirmed that invitations have been dispatched to all registered political entities in Tamil Nadu.
The main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK, has confirmed its attendance at the meeting. CM Stalin has encouraged the parties that chose to withdraw to rethink their decision, stressing that this is not merely a personal or political matter but one that impacts the state collectively.
The Chief Minister criticized the Centre for allegedly attempting to impose the three-language policy in Tamil Nadu while also aiming to diminish the number of parliamentary constituencies in the state under the pretext of delimitation.
He cautioned that if delimitation is conducted strictly on population metrics, Tamil Nadu could potentially lose up to eight Lok Sabha seats, which would cut its representation from 39 to 31 MPs. He argued that even if the overall MP count in the country rises, Tamil Nadu may still experience a decline in proportional representation.
CM Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu, known for its advancement in development indicators and effective population management, should not be penalized for its accomplishments. He characterized the delimitation process as a “Sword of Damocles” threatening southern states, particularly those that have managed to control population growth.
“As an initial measure, we are organizing this gathering to unite all political parties and leaders in Tamil Nadu. I urge all factions to set aside their differences, participate in the meeting, and voice their opinions on this pressing matter,” he stated.
Despite CM Stalin’s call for collaboration, several parties, including the BJP, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), have chosen to boycott the meeting.
TMC leader and former Union Minister G.K. Vasan criticized the meeting as a diversion from unresolved state issues. He pointed out that the Central government has not officially declared any decision regarding delimitation. Referencing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Tamil Nadu on February 25, Vasan noted that Shah had clarified that the Central government had not taken a position on delimitation and assured that Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary seats would only increase, not decrease.
While TMC opposes the three-language policy and NEET, Vasan accused the DMK-led state government of lacking a strong stance against these policies.
Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai also declared his party’s intention to boycott the meeting.
In a letter to Chief Minister Stalin, Annamalai accused him of propagating “imaginary and baseless fears” regarding the delimitation process. “You have misrepresented the delimitation process and called for an all-party gathering to spread imaginary fears and deliberate misinformation, even before the official details of the process have been unveiled,” Annamalai wrote.
He further contended that if CM Stalin was genuinely worried about Tamil Nadu losing parliamentary seats, he should have directed the 39 MPs from the INDIA bloc to address the issue in Parliament during the Budget session.
Annamalai also alleged that the DMK government was attempting to shift focus away from governance failures. “With lawlessness at its peak, governance in disarray, rampant corruption, and policy paralysis, you have opted to concentrate on creating video reels daily instead of tackling real issues. This entire delimitation controversy is merely a figment of your imagination,” he charged.
Delimitation is the process of determining the number and boundaries of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It is executed by a Delimitation Commission, established under an Act of Parliament. The allocation of seats primarily relies on population changes, ensuring proportional representation. This process also identifies reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
While delimitation aims to ensure fair representation, concerns have been raised that states excelling in population control, like Tamil Nadu, may face disadvantages if the process is conducted unjustly.
As the political debate surrounding delimitation and the three-language policy intensifies, the outcome of the all-party meeting is likely to significantly influence Tamil Nadu’s position on these matters.
