Parliament Showdown! DMK MPs Vow to Fight Delimitation, Seek Support from Other States

DMK MPs, in a meeting chaired by party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday, resolved to fiercely protect Tamil Nadu’s interests in the upcoming Lok Sabha seat delimitation exercise. The meeting, held in Chennai ahead of Parliament’s resumption on Monday, addressed concerns that the population-based delimitation could reduce Tamil Nadu’s current seat allocation, a worry shared by other states like Odisha and West Bengal.

The MPs passed resolutions to raise the delimitation issue prominently in Parliament, alongside other concerns such as alleged Hindi imposition. The DMK has long argued that using recent population data disadvantages states like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully controlled population growth since the 1971 census. They demand that delimitation be based on that earlier census instead. The MPs criticized the Centre for its lack of clarity, accusing it of sowing confusion and unfairly penalizing southern states for their effective family planning measures.

“This meeting stands resolute in supporting Chief Minister Stalin’s efforts to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s rights and ensure not a single Lok Sabha seat is lost,” the resolution stated. Stalin has highlighted how Tamil Nadu and its southern neighbors are being unfairly targeted, a sentiment echoed in the MPs’ pledge to champion the cause in Parliament.

To bolster their stance, the DMK plans to rally support from political parties in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab—states likely to lose seats in the delimitation process. The MPs aim to coordinate with allies and like-minded parties to mount a united front against the Centre’s approach. This strategic move underscores the party’s determination to turn a regional concern into a broader coalition effort, amplifying their voice as the Parliament session unfolds.