Vijay softens delimitation stance, seeks assurance on representation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has softened his position on delimitation within a week, dropping the demand to permanently freeze Lok Sabha seats at 543 and instead seeking a legislative assurance that no state will lose its percentage of parliamentary representation due to population stabilisation. The New Indian Express reports that his August 12 Assembly resolution called for permanent retention of existing seat distribution, but at the Southern Zonal Council meeting on August 20 he adopted a different formulation, which could allow expansion or reallocation if no state's share is reduced.

ABP Live reports Vijay also reiterated Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET, urging the Centre to allow the state to fill medical seats under the state quota based on Class 12 marks. He called for stricter regulation of online prescription drug sales and raised the Cauvery water dispute, emphasising compliance with Supreme Court judgments and tribunal awards. The meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was attended by the chief ministers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The shift in Vijay's delimitation stance is significant: the earlier position ruled out any change in seat size or distribution, while the new one could allow changes as long as percentages are preserved. The delimitation exercise based on the 2021 Census is expected after the current freeze ends, and southern states have raised concerns about losing representation due to lower population growth.