A political confrontation has intensified between the Centre and several southern states over the proposed delimitation exercise, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin calling for statewide black flag protests against the Centre’s draft constitutional amendment Bill. The proposed legislation, expected to be tabled during a special three-day session of Parliament beginning Thursday, has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties in the South.

The controversy centres on the Centre’s plan to revise the allocation of Lok Sabha seats, potentially increasing the number from 543 to 850, while linking seat distribution to population. Southern states argue that this approach would disadvantage them for successfully implementing population control measures over past decades, in line with earlier national policy directives encouraging family planning.

Stalin described the proposed Bill as a “massive historic injustice” against Tamil Nadu and other southern states, alleging that the region is being penalised for its demographic achievements. He questioned whether compliance with population control policies is now being treated as a disadvantage and accused the Union government of proceeding without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

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The Chief Minister further stated that no clear explanation has been provided regarding the structure of the delimitation exercise or the proposed constitutional amendment. He also alleged that requests from MPs across parties to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not been granted. Stalin warned that Tamil Nadu would mount a strong resistance and said he was prepared to personally lead a large-scale agitation, invoking past Dravidian movement protests as a reference point.

The escalation comes as the debate gains political momentum across the southern states. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also criticised the proposal, claiming it could lead to reduced representation and injustice for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes if seat redistribution follows a purely population-based formula favouring northern states.

The issue has now emerged as a major Centre–state flashpoint, with opposition parties in the South framing it as a question of federal balance and regional equity. As the special parliamentary session approaches, the delimitation proposal is expected to remain at the centre of a broader political confrontation over representation, resources, and states’ rights in India’s federal structure.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Opposes Delimitation, Warns Of Statewide Agitation