Siddaramaiah: Collaborative Efforts with Southern States to Combat Delimitation Injustices

Bengaluru, Feb 27 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday stated that talks are currently in progress with neighboring southern states to mount a unified resistance against the inequities posed by the proposed delimitation process by the Union government. In the near future, a synchronized movement will be initiated in tandem with all impacted states.

In a press release, Siddaramaiah articulated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that southern states will not face disadvantages in the delimitation process is untrustworthy. His remarks appear to be designed to sow confusion among the southern states.

He highlighted that numerous studies have assessed the repercussions of delimitation, revealing that if delimitation relies exclusively on the most recent census (2021 or 2031), Karnataka's Lok Sabha seats could reduce from 28 to 26. Likewise, Andhra Pradesh's representation could shrink from 42 to 34, Kerala's from 20 to 12, and Tamil Nadu's from 39 to 31.

Conversely, Uttar Pradesh's Lok Sabha seats would rise from 80 to 91, Bihar's from 40 to 50, and Madhya Pradesh's from 29 to 33. "If this isn’t injustice, what is?" the CM questioned.

This situation is wholly unacceptable, he emphasized.

Siddaramaiah further stressed the necessity for all Karnataka citizens to transcend divisions of caste, religion, and political ideology to unite with a singular voice against delimitation.

"For southern states, including Karnataka, to receive equitable treatment in the delimitation process, the 1971 Census must be utilized as the basis, or the number of Lok Sabha seats should be proportionately increased, rather than depending solely on population statistics."

“Based on the Union Home Minister’s ambiguous statements, it appears that either he is misinformed or there is a deliberate effort to disadvantage southern states, including Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh," he remarked.

If the Union government genuinely desires to ensure fairness for southern states, Home Minister Amit Shah must clarify whether delimitation will be determined by the latest population ratio or the existing number of Lok Sabha seats, he demanded.

It is evident that if delimitation is executed based on the latest population ratio, it will result in severe injustice to southern states. To avert such inequity, prior delimitation efforts were conducted using the 1971 census as a reference, following constitutional amendments, he noted.

"Over the last 50 years, southern states have effectively managed population growth while achieving significant developmental milestones. In contrast, northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have struggled to control population growth and continue to lag behind in development," he expressed.

"Consequently, if delimitation is based on the latest census, southern states, including Karnataka, may experience a decline or stagnation in their Lok Sabha seats, while northern states gain more. In any case, the southern states will incur losses. Is the Home Minister oblivious to this?" Siddaramaiah questioned.

However, given the extraordinary enthusiasm exhibited by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for delimitation, it seems the true intent is to penalize the people of southern states for resisting his party’s hegemony, he alleged.

He noted that during the Karnataka Assembly election campaign, BJP President J.P. Nadda had warned that if the people of Karnataka did not support the BJP, the state would not receive Prime Minister Modi’s favor. Siddaramaiah stated that every action taken by the Union government against our state validates this statement.

"It is becoming increasingly apparent that every decision made by the Union government - whether concerning the unfair distribution of tax revenues, injustices in GST and disaster relief funds, the imposition of an onerous education policy, or amendments to UGC regulations - is aimed at punishing Karnataka," Siddaramaiah charged.

To further stifle the voices of southern states in Parliament and inhibit their ability to express concerns at the national level, the Union government has now adopted the new strategy of delimitation, he asserted.

"Despite witnessing these ongoing injustices, 17 BJP MPs and 2 JD-S MPs elected from Karnataka to the Lok Sabha have remained silent as if in subjugation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders in the state are preoccupied with trivial internal disputes and mudslinging," he concluded.