Delimitation in India: MK Stalin alleges BJP-led Centre is working secretly on plan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the BJP-led Centre of working quietly towards delimitation, claiming it may involve major constitutional amendments. Speaking at an election rally, he said the Union government has not explained how it plans to carry out the process and warned of risks to Indian politics and representation.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin accused the BJP-led Centre of working in secret on delimitation. MK Stalin said the move could reshape Indian politics through constitutional changes. MK Stalin also alleged there was a plan behind it. The Union government, MK Stalin said, had not explained what amendments it wanted or how.

Speaking at a poll rally, MK Stalin linked the timing to current public issues. MK Stalin referred to an LPG shortage during elections in some states. MK Stalin said the Centre was pushing delimitation now to distract voters. MK Stalin questioned why the move could not wait until after April 29, after polling ended.

Delimitation and BJP-led Centre claims on Tamil Nadu seats

MK Stalin alleged, "As they secretively work on this matter, it is clear that there is a conspiracy to it.\" MK Stalin said the Centre was claiming Tamil Nadu would gain constituencies. MK Stalin warned that \"a big danger\" sat within that claim. MK Stalin compared it to a sweet dish with hidden ingredients.

MK Stalin set out seat numbers to support the warning. Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats, while Uttar Pradesh has 80. MK Stalin said UP already has 41 more seats than Tamil Nadu. MK Stalin added that after delimitation, the difference would rise to 61 seats.

MK Stalin said the wider gap would raise the north-south imbalance in Parliament. MK Stalin alleged the BJP-led Centre was trying to weaken southern voices. MK Stalin also called it an issue affecting all of India. MK Stalin said no consultations had taken place with states or opposition parties.

Delimitation dispute and opposition reactions cited by MK Stalin

MK Stalin said the Centre should explain why it faced no restraint during elections. MK Stalin asked why the government was in a hurry. MK Stalin also cited an English daily article by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. MK Stalin said MK Stalin agreed with Sonia Gandhi’s stand on the issue.

MK Stalin said Sonia Gandhi had argued Tamil Nadu must not be affected. MK Stalin said this matched the DMK line and opposed the BJP. MK Stalin then referred to late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa. MK Stalin claimed J Jayalalithaa would have taken a firm stand on states’ rights issues.

MK Stalin said J Jayalalithaa had strongly opposed GST and NEET. MK Stalin alleged that after J Jayalalithaa’s death, Palaniswami had made the AIADMK a \"dummy\". MK Stalin claimed the AIADMK failed to oppose the BJP on an issue affecting Tamil Nadu. MK Stalin also claimed the Centre tied Hindi learning to releasing Rs 2,000 cr in education funds.

MK Stalin maintained delimitation was being advanced without clarity and without talks. MK Stalin said the seat-gap impact would be felt beyond Tamil Nadu. MK Stalin repeated that the Centre should answer questions on the proposed amendments. MK Stalin said the process should not proceed during elections, and should be taken up after April 29.

With inputs from PTI