25-Year Extension To Transparency: Key Demands Raised At DMK-Led JAC Meet On 'Fair Delimitation' | Who Said What

In the meeting, the leaders also decided to submit a joint representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ongoing Parliamentary session. A political consensus also emerged to fight against "population" as the yardstick to determine delimitation and it was resolved during the meeting, which was held to ensure "fair delimitation", not to lose representation for southern states.

"The upcoming or future population-based delimitation of constituencies based on the next census will greatly affect a few states. We should all be absolutely sure that delimitation based on the current population cannot be accepted," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin asserted. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a seven-point resolution, outlining the key concerns and demands raised by the participating states.

(Image Credits: ANI)

- What Are The Demands?

- Any delimitation exercise carried out by the Union Government should be transparent, with all state governments, political parties, and relevant stakeholders given a chance to contribute and discuss the process.

- The JAC called for the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies, based on the 1971 Census, to be extended by another 25 years, arguing that national population stabilisation goals have not yet been fully achieved.

- States that have successfully implemented population control measures and seen a decrease in their population share should not be penalised in the delimitation exercise. The Union Government was urged to amend the Constitution to reflect this principle.

- A Core Committee consisting of Members of Parliament from the represented states will coordinate strategies to counter any moves by the Union Government that go against the principles outlined in the resolution.

- The Core Committee will submit a joint representation to the Prime Minister of India during the current Parliamentary session, requesting attention to the points raised in the resolution.

- Political parties from the participating states will work towards passing appropriate resolutions in their respective Legislative Assemblies to express their concerns on the delimitation issue and communicate these to the Union Government.

- The JAC will undertake a coordinated strategy to raise awareness among citizens of the participating states about the history of past delimitation exercises, the potential consequences of the proposed changes, and the importance of a fair and transparent process

- What Leaders Said In JAC Meeting?

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the proposed delimitation as a 'sword of Damocles' hanging over the states, especially in southern India, which implemented programs to control the population. He urged the Centre to engage in "meaningful dialogues" before going ahead with the process.

"Delimitation, if done after the Census, will lead to an increase in seats for northern states and a reduction for southern states. Such a cut in seats for the south and an increase for the north will suit the BJP as it holds greater influence in the north," he claimed.

The DMK, however, described the meeting as a "historic first," in the annals of independent India, involving 7 states including Tamil Nadu and 14 political parties. "DMK President (Stalin) is deciding national politics, the JAC resolution is causing political tremors in Delhi," the party said.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said, "Do not increase Lok Sabha seat numbers. If BJP does delimitation exercise based on population, south India will lose its political voice and north will make us secondary citizens. We will not accept delimitation based on population because then states like UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, will dominate rest of the country. We cannot accept it any cost."

(Image Credits: ANI)

Karnataka Dy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged that the Centre planned to reduce the Parliamentary representation of southern states. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann alleged the BJP wanted to increase seats in states where it wins and reduce in states where it loses. "They do not have a single set out of the (present) 13," Mann said.

BJP's Opposition

Tamil Nadu BJP leaders held black flags and stood in front of their houses to stage a protest against the DMK government. K Annamalai said the protest is to condemn the DMK chief MK Stalin for his "red carpet welcome," to his INDIA bloc partners who are "continuously betraying Tamil Nadu farmers in the Cauvery & Mullai Periyar issue."

(Image Credits: ANI)

Senior leader Tamilisai Soundararajan ridiculed the event saying it was a meeting, based on yet to be yet-to-be-announced delimitation, to deceive the people. RSS joint general secretary Arun Kumar wondered if the delimitation process has started.

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Stalin of spreading "misinformation," over the delimitation issue and assured that southern states will not lose a "single Parliamentary seat." Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman charged the DMK was raising "emotional" issues like alleged Hindi imposition and delimitation as it had nothing to showcase as its achievements before the people during next year's Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu.

(With PTI Inputs)