West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee did not attend the meeting, citing prior commitments. However, a letter expressing her support was read out during the session. The meeting also saw the participation of representatives from Odisha’s BJD, the CPI, IUML, and some other regional parties. The Jana Sena Party, an NDA ally from Andhra Pradesh led by Pawan Kalyan, did not send any representative.
The session began with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin addressing the gathering on the importance of the meeting. Representatives from all participating parties are expected to present their views, following which a joint resolution will be passed. A sub-committee is likely to be formed after the meeting to chalk out a roadmap for holding similar consultations in different parts of the country. In a major update, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has said that the next meeting on delimitation of constituencies will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
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Ahead of the meeting, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin posted on X: "Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation." "I warmly welcome all Chief Ministers and political leaders to this meeting, united in our commitment to #FairDelimitation," he wrote.
BJP stages protest across Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, the BJP is staging black flag protests across Tamil Nadu, alleging that the DMK and Chief Minister Stalin are using the delimitation meeting as a distraction from what it claims is "rampant corruption" in the state. "This is nothing but a political drama to divert attention from the DMK's failures," the party said in a statement.
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Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai says, "Our state has various issues with neighbouring states. With Kerala, we have Mullaperiyar Dam issue...Karnataka government has opposed Metro line towards Hosur from Karnataka border. On various occasions, our CM didn' raise these issues when he visited neighbouring states. But today, he has called all CMs and is doing drama on delimitation, which is not even a problem at all."
Ex-Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy writes to PM Modi
Former Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has written to Prime Minster Narendra Modi, "requesting that the delimitation exercise be conducted in such a manner that no State would have to endure any reduction in its representation in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, in terms of its share in total number of seats in the House."
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Who said what at the meeting?
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin
At the meeting on delimitation, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says, "We don't oppose anything which strengthens democratic representation, but that action must be fair and should not affect fair political representation. This protest is not against delimitation but to urge for fair Delimitation."
"If representation decreases, it will lead to a fight to get funds for states. Laws will be made even without our willingness. Decisions will be taken which will affect our people. Students will lose important opportunities. Farmers will face setbacks without support. Our culture and growth will face danger. Social justice will be affected. If delimitation of constituencies happens or representation is decreased, we will be citizens who will be losing political power in our own country."
"Delimitation of constituencies should not happen as per current population. We all should be firm in opposing it...With the decrease in the people's representatives in Parliament, our strength to express our views will decrease."
At the meeting on delimitation, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says, "Proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies is hanging over our heads...Various reports indicate that the BJP-led Union Govt is going ahead with the delimitation process without any consultation. This sudden move is not driven by any Constitutional principle or any democratic imperative. But by narrow political interests. Delimitation process, if it is undertaken after the census, will lead to a large increase in the number of seats of northern states while there will be a significant reduction of the southern states in Parliament. This will suit the BJP as they hold greater influence in the north. If delimitation is carried out purely on the basis of population, then Kerala and other southern states will suffer as we have been bringing down our population since 1973 when the previous delimitation was carried out in which the number of seats in Lok Sabha was reorganised."
Former Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik
Former Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik says, "...This is an important meeting to ensure democratic representation and rights of people living in states that have done very well to control and stabilise population. Population Control is an important national agenda for the development of our country...While this (population control) has been our contribution towards a positive national agenda, towards building a strong India, delimitation based only on population figures will be unfair to the states that have worked hard to reduce their population growth rates in line with national priorities...It is our stand that population should not be the only criterion to determine number of seats in the highest representative body of our country. I suggest that the Union Government take up a detailed discussion with all parties to remove any doubts on this very important issue that has far-reaching implications for our democracy..."
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy
"South will not accept population-based delimitation," says Telangana CM addressing JAC meeting in Chennai. In case of population based delimitation, "north will make us secondary citizens," alleges Telangana CM.
DMK MP Kanimozhi
"I would like to read the resolution which has been passed today. The JAC (Joint Action Committee) expressed its deep concern on the lack of transparency and clarity in the delimitation exercise without any consultation to the various stakeholders. The JAC expressed its appreciation to the CM of Tamil Nadu for taking up this initiative to safeguard the political and economic future of performing states in India. Based on the various points and scenarios put forth by representatives during the discussion, the JAC unanimously resolved that - End Delimitation exercise carried out by the Union Govt to improve the content or character of our democracy should be carried out transparently enabling political parties of all states, state governments and other stakeholders to deliberate, discuss and contribute. Given the fact that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th and 87th Constiotutional amendment wants to protect incentivise states which had implemented population control measures effectively and the goal of national population stabilisation has not yet been achieved. The freeze on parliamentary constituency based on 1971 census population should be extended by another 25 years..."
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