The Union Government headed by the BJP recently dropped a thunderbolt on all the States announcing carrying out of delimitation of Lok Sabha seats but it is yet to be clarified whether the process would be based on the latest population ratio or the current number of Lok Sabha seats. If it would be based on the population ratio, Southern states, especially Tamil Nadu could be adversely affected. The exercise does not seem to be trustworthy. It has infact created confusion. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has decided to convene an All-Party meet to discuss the issue and chalk out further steps. Commending his decision, Dr.K.Veeramani, the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) issued a significant statement through ‘Viduthalai’ (26th February 2025), the Tamil Rationalist Daily. Excerpts from his statement are as follows:
Under the pretext of delimitation of constituencies, the number of Assembly and Parliament members of the Southern States are very likely to be curtailed. This is intruding into the rights of the States. At the right time, the Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu has begun its attempt to invite all the leaders and convene an ‘All-Party Meet’ to discuss the issue and safeguard the rights of the States. We shall defeat the ploy of the Union Government which is crushing co-operative federalism under its heels and planning to intrude into the rights of the States.
Condemning the ploy of the Union Government, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has decided to convene an All-Party Meet on 5th of March, 2025 and discuss the burning problem. This would be held as a mark of protest. The comments of the leaders of all the like-minded parties would be heard to proceed with further action in this regard. The All-Party meet to be held at the Secretariat in Chennai would place on record the sentiments of Tamil Nadu over this delimitation process.
Fight for right at the right moment
The time is ripe now to decide about our further steps, before it is too late. The Chief Minister has taken a quick decision with his foresight. We gladly welcome his convening an All-Party meet. This is the right moment to fight for our right. He has come forward first seeking a solution. He has also quite aptly stated that this delimitation process is like the ‘Sword of Damocles’ above the heads of Southern States.
It is already feared that the Union Government may at any moment rise the number of constituencies in Northern States such as U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana by adding some more. At this crucial juncture, giving an outlet immediately to the feelings of the entire Tamil Nadu is certainly a very great democratic approach.
The BJP – RSS Union Government headed by the Prime Minister Modi for the past ten years has been smashing Democracy and crushing it under its heels. Although on one side they assumed power swearing on our Constitution they have actually been shattering on the other side its very foundation. This has been their ploy behind the curtain of their rule. Many such unfair schemes are being implemented intermittently.
One Nation – One Election Ploy
This has been another ploy of the Union Government to bid farewell to co-operative federalism and replace it with a Unitary State Rule. Many eminent retired judges had commented that it is in all respects a law fit to be rejected outright even if the issue is taken by the Supreme Court. Despite this bell of alarm sounded already by renowned judges, the Union Government has been arrogantly clinging to it, planning adamantly to implement it. It is bent upon laying foundation for a dictatorial government and going ahead fast towards achieving success in it. When so much water has already overflowed, it has come out now with another ploy under the garb of delimitation of constituencies. The Union Government is vigorously involved in clipping the roots of the Constitution by its dictatorial and tyrannical rule, contradicting democracy.
Infact the Union Government is supposed to commend and encourage Tamil Nadu for all its achievements and its marvellous administration. On the contrary, with an attitude of bitter enmity and rivalry, it is attempting to drown Tamil Nadu into the vortex of financial crunch by withholding its share of educational fund. It seems the Union Government sadistically wants to watch the sufferings of Tamil Nadu. Is it not an unpardonable vice? Is it not a grave injustice?
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Punishing for a good dead
Long before family planning was legalised and insisted upon, the Government of Tamil Nadu had been implementing it through the Self-respect movement of Thanthai Periyar. During every marriage occasion it was propagated and the couple were also advised small family. Owing to our consistent efforts insisting on family planning, our Tamil Nadu has controlled its population. It is infact leading at the forefront inspiring other States to follow. Instead of commending Tamil Nadu for this achievement, it should not be punished under any circumstance.
The Delimitation process is an act of stifling the voice of the States in the Parliament. It seizes the freedom of thought. It defeats the purpose of Federalism. The rights of the States should not be intruded upon by any unfair move. It is also against egalitarianism that would cause absolute inequality and denial of equal opportunities for all. It seems to be a ploy to transform the entire country as a “Hindi Nation”. This delimitation is a deadly weapon of destruction. The Southern States, especially Tamil Nadu, would be disadvantaged if this is implemented.
Restless protest and fight
The Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu is a people’s government in all respects. It would hear the views of all the like – minded parties during the All-Party meet on 5th March 2025. It would make the Union Government realise that it has been moving on the wrong direction and make it retreat to the right path. We urge upon it to give up laying such tricky traps and ensure fairness to all the states.
The Dravidian Model generally begins with peaceful arguments and appeals but would not hesitate to move to the next stage and fight vigorously. This is its mode of governance. Moreover, this is not a party related problem – it is people related problem. It is pertaining to the rights of the people.
By collective efforts, we can safeguard Federalism and make everyone realise that our fights are for our rights. Let us all join this war of justice. Let us awake and be alert to achieve our objective. This is not only a dire need but also an urgent need. Be united. We are sure to win
UNION GOVERNMENT MUST CLARIFY DELIMITATION
In 1971, when a necessity arose for the delimitation exercise of the Loka Sabha Constituencies, an amendment was enacted to defer the delimitation. At that time the Union Government encouraged family planning programme to control the population growth in the country.
Owing to the implementation of family planning, there existed a significant difference between the northern states and southern states in population. Hence, the delimitation process of arriving at the number of constituencies based on the existed population was deferred by 25 years. In 2004 also, during the period of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister, it was again postponed.
Delimitation process cannot be conducted with mere population count. It has to be construed as the rationale for the postponement of the process. Under such circumstances, taking up the delimitation exercise based on population count will minimise the democratic representation of states like Tamil Nadu for the sole reason of having implemented family planning programme very effectively. Without considering the merit of the argument, the Union Home Minister has stated superfluously that the State would not lose any of the constituency from the present level.
It has been revealed as pro-rata basis. Whether it is pro-rata from the existing number of constituencies or the pro-rata of the prevailing population count is not clear. It is very imperative to point out that delimitation based on population is unacceptable. It is also equally unjust to keep the number of constituencies as such in southern States when they are increased in the northern states based on their population count. The pro-rata basis has to be reckoned as per 1971 census of population and the prevailing number of constituencies in southern states.
The present strength of Lok Sabha is 543. 848 seats have been allocated while constructing the new Parliament House. If the Lok Sabha Constituencies are increased based on the population cover, the number of seats from the southern states would decrease from the present level.
The proper method is to increase the number of constituencies from the present level on pro-rata basis to attain the ceiling of 848 seats. When the policy of Government of India is to curtail the population growth through family planning programme, the effectively controlled southern states should not be penalised for that. The number of constituencies must be raised on pro-rata basis from the present level of constituencies. This is the ideal process in respect of all the States with due increase in the number of constituencies. It will strengthen the unity of our country and the federal polity that the Constitution adumbrates.
