NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK hosted the first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on Saturday, bringing together political leaders from multiple states to oppose population-based Lok Sabha delimitation. The meeting, chaired by TN chief minister MK Stalin, saw a consensus emerge to push for “fair delimitation” that does not penalise states with successful population control measures. Stalin emphasized that the legal route would also be explored to safeguard democratic representation.
‘Sword of Damocles’ hanging over southern states: Kerala CM
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan likened the delimitation issue to a “sword of Damocles” hanging over southern states. He accused the BJP-led central government of moving forward without consultation, driven by political interests rather than constitutional or democratic principles.
“This sudden move is not driven by Constitutional principles or democratic imperatives but by narrow political interests,” he alleged.
Vijayan argued that a population-based delimitation would disproportionately benefit northern states while reducing representation for the south.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘Sword of Damocles’?
The Sword of Damocles is a metaphor originating from a tale about Damocles, a courtier of Dionysius I of Syracuse. In the story, Damocles, who flatters the king about his fortune, is offered to experience the luxury of kingship. However, while seated on the throne, he discovers a sword hanging above him, suspended by a single horsehair.
This symbolises the constant danger and anxiety that accompany power and privilege. The phrase has since come to represent the ever-present threat faced by those in positions of authority, illustrating that great fortune often comes with significant risks and responsibilities
Call for a joint legal and political strategy
In response to these concerns, Stalin proposed forming an expert panel, the “Joint Action Committee for Fair Delimitation,” to devise a legal and political action plan. He urged continuous efforts to protect the rights of southern states, stating, “We are not against delimitation, we are for fair delimitation. Continuous action is very essential to establish rights.”
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar echoed these sentiments, alleging that the Centre intended to curtail parliamentary representation of southern states. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also criticised the BJP, claiming it sought to manipulate seat allocation to benefit states where it holds sway while diminishing representation in regions where it faces electoral setbacks.
“In Punjab, the BJP does not win. They do not have a single seat out of the (present) 13,” Mann pointed out. He further questioned whether southern states were being punished for their success in controlling population growth.
South will not accept population-based delimitation: Telangana CM
Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy warned that if the Centre proceeded with population-based delimitation, “North will make us secondary citizens.” He declared that the southern states would not accept such an approach, stressing that the exercise should not lead to an increase in Lok Sabha seats.
Senior BRS leader and former Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao described delimitation based solely on population as “extremely unfair.”
Naveen Patnaik calls for nationwide consultation
BJD president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik also addressed the meeting virtually, calling for an inclusive approach. He warned that population alone should not determine parliamentary seat allocation and urged the Centre to consult all political parties before proceeding with delimitation.
“Our stand is that population should not be the only criterion to determine the number of seats in the highest representative body of our country,” Patnaik said. He stressed that Odisha, along with states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Punjab, had successfully implemented population control measures and should not be penalised.
“If these states didn’t achieve population stabilization, India would face a population explosion, derailing our developmental progress,” he cautioned.
Patnaik deputed senior BJD leaders Sanjay Das Burma and Amar Patnaik to attend the Chennai meeting.
Opposition calls for clarity on Delimitation process
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, while advocating for delimitation, insisted it must be done fairly. “There is no clarity on delimitation, and we are concerned. Delimitation should be done, but in a fair manner,” she told reporters. She highlighted that southern states had excelled in population management and social development.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reminded that delimitation could not proceed without a fresh census. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee amended the Constitution in 2002, postponing delimitation until after the first census post-2026, which means 2031,” he explained. He raised concerns that states that had succeeded in reducing fertility rates should not be penalized by losing parliamentary representation.
“If we take the 2025 estimated population, many states will lose their representation. That is unacceptable,” Ramesh added.
BJP rejects concerns, calls meeting a political drama
Amid growing opposition, the BJP dismissed the concerns raised at the meeting. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai led a black flag protest against the JAC meet, calling it a “drama.” He accused CM Stalin of ignoring key state issues, including the Mullaiperiyar and Cauvery water disputes with Kerala and Karnataka, while focusing on a “non-issue.”
Former Governor and BJP leader Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan also criticized the participating CMs, alleging they were using the delimitation issue to distract from corruption and governance failures in their states. “Instead of calling this a delimitation meeting, it can be called a corruption-hiding meeting,” she claimed.
Annamalai insisted that no state, including Tamil Nadu, would lose a single seat on a pro-rata basis and that the concerns raised were unfounded. “All our rights have been sacrificed by CM Stalin, so this black flag protest,” he said.
‘Etched in history’
Despite BJP’s dismissal, opposition leaders framed the meeting as the beginning of a major political and legal battle to safeguard federalism. In a social media post, Stalin declared, “Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation.”
With multiple states aligning against population-based delimitation, the debate over fair representation in Parliament is set to intensify in the coming months.
Who Said What on Delimitation Row
MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM:
“We are not against delimitation, we are for fair delimitation. Continuous action is essential to establish rights.”
Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala CM:
“The delimitation of LS seats is hanging like the ‘sword of Damocles.’ This move is not driven by constitutional principles or democratic imperatives but by narrow political interests.”
Revanth Reddy, Telangana CM:
“If BJP carries out delimitation based on population, South India will lose its political voice, and North will make us secondary citizens.”
Bhagwant Mann, Punjab CM:
“The BJP wants to increase seats where it wins and reduce them where it loses. In Punjab, they do not have a single seat out of 13.”
DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy CM:
“The Centre is planning to reduce the parliamentary representation of southern states.”
Naveen Patnaik, BJD President & Former Odisha CM:
“States that worked hard to reduce their population growth rates should not be disincentivized. The Union government must hold discussions with all parties before proceeding with delimitation.”
Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) Leader:
“Delimitation should be done, but in a fair manner. There is no clarity on the process, and we are concerned.”
Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP:
“Delimitation cannot be done without a fresh census. You cannot penalize states for success in family planning.”
K Annamalai, BJP Tamil Nadu Chief:
“This meeting is nothing but a political drama. No state, including Tamil Nadu, will lose seats on a pro-rata basis.”
Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP Leader & Former Governor:
“This should be called a corruption-hiding meeting rather than a delimitation discussion.”
