CM Stalin writes to Mamata Banerjee to join JAC against delimitation

Stalin writes to Mamata and other CMs, urging them to join Joint Action Committee against population-based delimitation changes
Proposed delimitation could reduce parliamentary seats for states with lower population growth, affecting representation and federal balance in India
Stalin calls for March 22 Chennai meeting to strategize legal, political, and constitutional opposition against proposed delimitation changes

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to join a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the proposed parliamentary delimitation based on population figures. Stalin has also reached out to the chief ministers of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, and Punjab, emphasizing that the move could reduce parliamentary representation for states that have successfully controlled population growth. He has invited them to a meeting in Chennai on March 22 to discuss a collective strategy.

In his letter, Stalin highlighted concerns that population-based delimitation would disproportionately affect southern states, which have implemented family planning measures over the years. He pointed out that states with lower population growth could lose seats in Parliament, while states with higher growth would gain, creating an imbalance in representation. The letter also referenced Tamil Nadu’s all-party meeting, where political leaders unanimously opposed delimitation beyond the current freeze based on the 1971 census.

The proposed JAC aims to bring together affected states to present a unified stance against the change. Stalin has argued that the principles of federalism must be upheld and that states should not be penalized for implementing population control measures. The meeting on March 22 is expected to focus on legal, political, and constitutional strategies to oppose any move to alter parliamentary representation based solely on population figures.

The delimitation process, set to be reviewed after 2026, has been a contentious issue, with several states fearing reduced representation. The current freeze on delimitation was extended in 2002 until 2026 to balance population-based seat distribution with equitable representation. Stalin’s outreach marks an effort to build a coalition among non-BJP-ruled states to counter potential changes and push for an alternative formula that does not disadvantage states with lower population growth.

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MK Stalin