Delimitation Row: JAC demands 25-year extension of Parliamentary seat freeze

Addressing the gathering, CM Stalin proposed forming an expert panel to draft a legal and political action plan against the proposed changes.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Fair Delimitation on Saturday called for an extension of the freeze on the number of Parliamentary constituencies, currently based on the 1971 Census, for another 25 years.

In a resolution adopted at a high-level meeting in Chennai, the JAC argued that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th, and 87th Constitutional Amendments was to protect and incentivise states that successfully implemented population control measures. It noted that the national population stabilsation goal has not yet been achieved, necessitating a continued freeze on seat allocation.

"Given the fact that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th, and 87th Constitutional amendments was to protect/incentivize states which have implemented population control measures effectively and the goal of national population stabilization has not yet been achieved, the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies based on the 1971 Census should be extended by another 25 years," the resolution stated.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reaffirmed his stand on the ongoing delimitation debate, calling for a just and equitable approach that does not penalize states for effective population control.

Taking to microblogging site X, Stalin hailed the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting in Chennai, which saw participation from Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leaders from various parties across India. The gathering, he said, was a testament to India’s federal spirit and the collective demand for fair representation.

"In an unprecedented show of unity, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leaders of various parties across India came together at Chennai for a historic #JointActionCommittee meeting. This formidable gathering reflects our collective resolve to uphold India’s federalism in its true spirit and stand united for #FairDelimitation," Stalin posted on X.

In an unprecedented show of unity, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers and leaders of various parties across India came together at Chennai for a historic #JointActionCommittee meeting. This formidable gathering reflects our collective resolve to uphold Indias federalism in pic.twitter.com/dz6rO0Xjpq

M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 22, 2025

Reiterating that the movement was not against delimitation itself, Stalin insisted that the process must be fair and just.

"Any attempt to reduce our representation is an assault on our voice, our rights, and our future. We will not allow our current share in parliamentary representation to be reduced under any circumstance. We will fight. We will win!" he asserted.

Addressing the gathering, CM Stalin proposed forming an expert panel - Joint Action Committee for Fair Delimitation - to draft a legal and political action plan against the proposed changes. He also underscored the fact that the demand was not against delimitation per se but aimed at ensuring fairness.

"We are not against delimitation; we are for fair delimitation," Stalin asserted. Stressing the importance of sustained efforts, he added, "Continuous action is essential to establish rights." He further underlined the need to create public awareness and exert pressure on the Centre to reconsider its approach.

Stalin called for a unified effort among affected states to ensure that their parliamentary representation remains intact. "Our representation must not decline," he stated, reinforcing the necessity of a collective stand against the perceived imbalance in seat redistribution.

The JAC, comprising Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leaders from multiple states, announced that participating political parties would push for the adoption of resolutions in their respective Legislative Assemblies to formalize their stance. These resolutions would then be communicated to the Union government.

Additionally, the committee outlined plans for a coordinated public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the history and context of past delimitation exercises and the potential consequences of the proposed changes. The JAC vowed to mobilise public opinion against any move that could reduce representation for states that have successfully controlled their population growth.

The demand comes amid growing concerns among southern and eastern states that a fresh delimitation exercise, based on future Census data, could disproportionately benefit northern states, leading to a decline in their parliamentary representation.

Vijayan remarked that the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats was looming like a "sword of Damocles" over southern states. Accusing the BJP-led central government of moving forward without adequate consultation, he said, "This sudden move is not driven by constitutional principles or democratic imperatives but by narrow political interests."

Vijayan also argued that if delimitation is conducted after the next Census, it would lead to a disproportionate increase in seats for northern states while southern states, despite their economic progress and controlled population growth, would lose representation. He further alleged that the BJP, which holds greater influence in the north, stands to benefit from such an arrangement.

"Delimitation, if done after Census will lead to an increase in seats for northern states, 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 stated.

The Kerala CM also voiced strong objections, warning of severe consequences if parliamentary representation for certain states is further reduced. "If our Parliamentary representation is further reduced, while our share of the nation's wealth continues to decline, we will face an unprecedented situation in which both our rightful share of funds and our political voice to demand them diminish simultaneously. It is in recognition of the gravity of this issue that we, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab are now uniting in protest," Vijayan stated.

He stated that this meeting, convened by Stalin, marks the beginning of a coordinated resistance through the formation of a Joint Action Committee. "The Union Government's actions - from fiscal policies to language policies to cultural policies to now even the fixation of representation - are destabilising India's federal system and democratic framework. This cannot be allowed to pass," he declared.

At the meeting, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy strongly opposed the proposed changes, accusing the BJP of implementing a 'demographic penalty' that would unfairly impact performing states. "Today, we have a big challenge facing the country. BJP is implementing a policy of demographic penalty... We are one country, we respect it. But we cannot accept this proposed delimitation because it will politically limit us. It will punish us for being performing states. We have to stop BJP from implementing any unfair delimitation," he asserted.

Meanwhile, early Saturday, former Andhra Pradesh CM and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the upcoming delimitation exercise does not lead to any state losing its representation in Parliament.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Jagan Reddy underscored the gravity of the issue, warning that any reduction in the number of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha seats for a state could disrupt the country's social and political harmony.