A collage of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and PM Narendra Modi.

Stalin skips PM's Pamban event in Tamil Nadu, demands fair delimitation guarantee

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the Prime Minister should also ensure that the state's share of parliamentary seats, in percentage terms, remains unchanged.

by · India Today

In Short

  • MK Stalin demands PM Modi's promise on delimitation fears
  • PM must ensure fair delimitation via Parliament resolution, says Stalin
  • Tamil Nadu's share of parliamentary seats should remain unchanged, he said

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin demanded a promise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allay the fears of the people of Tamil Nadu regarding the proposed delimitation exercise. He said the Prime Minister should also ensure that their share of parliamentary seats, in percentage terms, remains unchanged.

Stalin’s speech coincided with the inauguration of the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram by PM Modi. The Prime Minister was seen with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the event, while Stalin was conspicuous by his absence.

"Standing on Tamil soil, the Prime Minister must give a clear guarantee: Tamil Nadu and other states that have successfully controlled population growth will not be penalised in the impending delimitation exercise. Their share of parliamentary seats in percentage terms will remain untouched," the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said.

He added that the Prime Minister should ensure a fair delimitation by passing a resolution in Parliament. "Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi should make this promise publicly, allay the fears in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu, and follow it up with a constitutional amendment in Parliament. This is the only way to ensure a fair delimitation. I sincerely hope he will act," he added.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu are demanding that the delimitation of constituencies be based on the 1971 population figures and have urged the Union government to uphold the commitment made to that effect in 2001 by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

MK Stalin said that in line with Vajpayee’s assurance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must give a statement in Parliament to extend the arrangement for another 30 years beyond 2026. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu and other southern states would lose fair representation in Parliament if the delimitation was enforced on the basis of Census 2026.