Proportionate seat distribution ensures more Dalit representation:PT

Madurai, May 19 (UNI) Proportionate distribution of the reserved Lok Sabha seats in all the regions in Tamil Nadu will ensure political representation of more Dalit Communities in Parliament and the Legislature, Puthiya Thamizhagam (PT) President K Krishnasamy told the Delimitation Commission here today.

His case at the Public Sitting of the panel, chaired by CEC N Gopalsamy, Mr Krishnasamy said earmarking one reserved constituency for every four or five revenue districts would help broad-based, community-wise representation.

He made this suggestion when the CEC asked what yardstick the PT would propose for the redistribution of the seven Lod Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu, seven of which had been confined to the northern region adjoining Chennai.

The Dalit leader further made a plea to take into consideration the population of the Dalits before making a reserved seat.

With Mr Gopalsamy seeking a detailed proposal, spelling out the required but acceptable criteria, the former legislator assured to provide him one shortly.

The party also appealed to the Commission not to reduce the total number of Assembly seats for the southern districts, which had been deprived of nine constituencies. Labour migration in these districts due to the continuing crisis in agriculture was only a temporary phenomenon, and as such reduction of the number of constituencies was opposed.

Warning that such a step would lead to tension and turmoil in the region, he urged the Commission to take necessary corrective measures.

UNI