“We want clarity, we need explanation…”: DMK’s Kanimozhi questions Centre over delimitation exercise

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 2 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi called on the central government to provide ‘clarification’ over the terms ‘delimitation’ and ‘pro-rata’ while providing assurance to that the southern states will not lose their representation in the parliament under the proposed delimitation exercise.

Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party further, she said that just because the “BJP wants to play politics,” it should not reduce the number of representatives from the southern states.

“We want clarity. The centre should tell us on what basis delimitation will be done, and they have to ensure that justice is done to our states and we should not be losing our representation in parliament,” said Kanimozhi.

Slamming the central government, Kanimozhi said, “Just because the BJP wants to play politics, and for its games, it should not reduce the number of representatives from the South of India in any state which has controlled its population effectively. This is the concern of our chief minister and many leaders from Tamil Nadu and other states.”

“The union government, the home minister, the prime minister, have to clarify what they mean by delimitation, pro rata, and we need an explanation so that this confusion is cleared and we are assured that we are not treated wrong or unfairly,” she said.

Posting a self-made video on X, Kanimozhi expressed her concerns after Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned that delimitation would be carried out on a “pro rata” basis during his visit to Coimbatore.

The DMK MP sought clarification from the Union government, emphasising that this term remains unclear, with Tamil Nadu BJP President also stating that only the Union Government could clarify the matter.

She pointed out that, if the delimitation is population-based, Tamil Nadu could lose at least 10 seats, along with several other Southern states that have effectively managed population control.

“Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a recent visit to Coimbatore, said that delimitation will be done on a pro-rata basis. But what does pro-rata mean? Even TN BJP President says only the Union Govt can clarify. With the freeze ending next year, we demand answers now! All proof till now points to a calculated move to decrease representation from South India. The Southern states demand clarity!” said Kanimozhi on X.

“Our Chief Minister MK Stalin has raised a very important concern about delimitation and on what basis it will be done. Tamil Nadu and the southern states need to know on what basis the delimitation will be done, because if it is going to be based on population, then Tamil Nadu stands to lose at least 10 seats, and so do many other southern states and other states of India which have controlled their population effectively. At the same time, states which have not bothered to control the population and whose population has increased will stand to gain more seats,” Kanimozhi stated.

The DMK MP further emphasised that the delimitation can’t be carried out based on population, as it would be unfair for the southern states who have better managed population control.

“Our Chief Minister wants to know on what basis this will be done because till now, delimitation has been carried out based on population, but the population census has been frozen from 71, and a decision has been taken that we cannot do it on population because many of the other states have not controlled population effectively and it will be unfair to the states which have controlled its population,” she stated.

“The union government, the home minister, the prime minister, have to clarify what they mean by delimitation, pro rata, and we need an explanation so that this confusion is cleared and we are assured that we are not treated wrong or unfairly,” Kanimozhi added.

Earlier on Saturday, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai informed Chief Minister MK Stalin in a letter to him that his party will boycott the all-party meeting convened on March 5.

Annamalai accused Stalin of having misconstrued the delimitation exercise and of spreading “imaginary fears” and deliberately lying about it.

On Friday, Stalin urged the people to “rise” to defend the state in a fight against the delimitation of constituencies and the three-language policy.

Sharing a video message, Tamil Nadu CM said that the state is confronting two critical challenges, one of language and the other is the fight against delimitation.

Earlier this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at a BJP programme in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, that the southern States will not be disadvantaged by the delimitation process.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said on Saturday that his party has raised its voice against delimitation at the right time.

“We have raised our voice at the right time against delimitation. If it is done, the southern states will lose seats and there will be more seats in the northern states,” Siva told ANI.

“Even when the new Parliament building was constructed, it was aimed to house 1000 members in the Lok Sabha. It is expected that after delimitation, the strength in Lok Sabha will reach around 840. In case of any bill or amendment which is brought, it will be decided by a majority. So when they (northern states) soar high, and we (southern states) go less, our representation will reduce,” he added.