Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday led a meeting of the state parties – including rivals AIADMK – to discuss ‘Hindi imposition’ and delimitation, the subject in the heart of a line between the ruling DMK and the central government.
At the meeting, Mr. Stalin made a proposal to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure delimitation, if done now, the population level of 1971 is based on the level of population and has been maintained for another 30 years to motivate other states to control development. If the number of MPs has increased, the resolution demanded a constitutional amendment to ensure the current proportional representation in all states.
Five small opposition parties, including BJP and its local ally, Tamil Manila Congress (M), did not participate. BJP and TMC (M) called the meeting a trick, which says that there is a deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Actor Vijay’s Tamilga Vatri Kazgam participated.
DMK-led resolution on delimitation
Sankalp also sought assurance that any increase in the total number of MPs would be calculated in the same proportion – as for the states – as it is placed on the basis of the 1971 census, which means that Tamil Nadu will not be punished for successfully controlled population between then and now.
“To encourage family planning by all states, the then Prime Minister (Atal Bihari Vajpei of BJP) in 2000 assured that the delimitation of delimitation will be prepared on the basis of the 1971 census. Similarly, PM Modi should assure that the same draft will be followed from 2026 for 30 years.”
“Tamil Nadu is not against delimitation. However, this meeting requests that delimitation should not be punished to the state that has implemented various social welfare schemes …”
Sankalp also determined plans for a joint action committee – to be formed by MPs from Tamil Nadu and other southern states, who have also expressed concern about delimitation – “to create awareness among people about this issue”.
Read | “Talwar over South States”: MK Stalin on Delimitation, ‘Hindi ton’
Last week, when he called for this meeting, Mr. Stalin warned the southern states, “… in the name of delimitation, a sword hangs on our head”. “Our representation in Parliament will be reduced … Tamil Nadu’s voice is already adorned. It is a matter of Tamil Nadu’s rights.”
DMK vs on delimitation on BJP
The delimitation between the DMK (and most, if not all, Tamil Nadu political parties) and the BJP -led Center has become a major flashpoint, especially with an assembly election due to the next year.
DMK has raised red flags on proposed delimitation, which is redefining the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies to reflect population changes over time.
Its critics say it will put the southern states – which, on average, now, is a smaller population than the answer – in loss by reducing the number of MPs. In contrast, the northern states have not controlled the population, an external thing will be found in Parliament.
For example, Tamil Nadu now has 39 Lok Sabha seats or 7.2 percent of the total seats. Population-based delimitation will potentially reduce this part as the state will get overall seats.
Home Minister Amit Shah recently assured Tamil Nadu and other southern states that they would not lose seats and actually, more seats would be received. But Mr. Stalin has stated that this does not mean that seats will not be extended for the northern states, which is the second half of the problem because it sees it.
Many sharp jabs have been exchanged between DMK and BJP as the battle is made before the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, in which it will be as a major campaign issue.
Earlier this week, Mr. Stalin called the newly married Tamil couples to have children as soon as possible to promote the population of the state.
Read | “Now babies …”: Stalin’s message for the newlyweds is the limit
In the wedding of a party official in Nagpattinam, the Chief Minister commented that he must have first asked him to take his time and plan a family. “Now … a situation that only if we have a large population, we can have more MPs. Get children immediately …” they announced.
‘Thopa’ on Hindi
BJP’s Tamil Nadu has launched a door-to-door signature campaign to carry forward the three-language policy which DMK, and AIADMK, says there is a method of ‘imposing’ Hindi.
Read | “Saying silly things”: Center on MK Stalin “Hindi destroyed 25 …” Job
The BJP has denied this claim, emphasizing the new education policy, only students get an opportunity to learn the third language of their choice, and that it does not need Hindi.
(Tagstotransite) Hindi impose (T) MK Stalin (T) delimitation
