Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin signaled a multi-pronged resistance, including a legal fight, against the Centre’s proposed delimitation of parliamentary seats during the first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting hosted by the ruling DMK in Chennai on Saturday.

The meeting saw sharp criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who likened the exercise to a “sword of Damocles” hanging over southern states, accusing the BJP-led government of pushing it without consultation for narrow political gains.

Stalin, addressing representatives from southern states, emphasized fairness, stating, “We are not against delimitation; we are for fair delimitation.” He proposed forming an expert panel, tentatively named the ‘Joint Action Committee for Fair Delimitation,’ to devise political and legal strategies.

Highlighting the need for continuous action, he stressed creating public awareness and pressuring the Centre to ensure no state’s representation diminishes. “Our united fight must succeed,” Stalin asserted.

Vijayan echoed these concerns, warning that delimitation based on the upcoming census would disproportionately increase seats for northern states—where the BJP holds sway—while reducing southern representation. “This isn’t about constitutional principles or democracy; it’s political maneuvering,” he charged. Southern states, with better population control, fear losing parliamentary clout to the north’s higher population growth.

The meeting reflects growing unease among southern leaders as the delimitation, expected post-2026 census, could reshape India’s political landscape. Stalin’s call for a legal route underscores a broader strategy to challenge the Centre, blending grassroots mobilization with courtroom battles to safeguard regional interests.