Delimitation will penalise South, Opposition warns BJP counters

At the India Today Tamil Nadu Roundtable in Chennai, Opposition leaders warned that a population-based increase in Lok Sabha seats would dilute the political influence of southern states such as Tamil Nadu. MDMK leader Durai Vaiko said Tamil Nadu currently accounts for about 7.8 per cent of Lok Sabha seats and warned that its share could decline. He argued that the state contributes roughly 9 per cent of India's GDP and 13 per cent of exports but only 6 per cent of the population. "We would be penalised for being good," he said.

Congress MP Praveen Chakravarthy said the relative bargaining power of southern states would diminish even if they gained seats in absolute numbers. He cited figures showing Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana together contribute 20 per cent of direct and indirect taxes, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute 5 per cent. He asked, "Why not make it population and purse?" The BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan rejected the concerns, accusing opposition parties of fear-mongering and asserting that the South will not be penalised.

The debate follows a Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution calling for the current 543-seat strength of the Lok Sabha to be retained and the state's share of seats protected. The DMK, Congress and MDMK opposed the BJP's stance, while the BJP and AIADMK opposed the resolution. The next step remains unclear as the government continues discussions on the delimitation exercise.