Chennai, April 9 (NationPress) Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has voiced strong objections to the Centre's suggested delimitation initiative, asserting that it is not a genuine reform but rather a strategy to centralize political power. He also condemned the Centre for intertwining women’s reservation with the delimitation efforts.

In a statement on X, CM Stalin remarked that the plan to augment the number of parliamentary constituencies under the pretense of delimitation contradicts the BJP's own motto of “minimum government, maximum governance.”

He contended that expanding constituencies would not improve governance but could skew political representation.

The Chief Minister cautioned that the proposed delimitation initiative may unfairly affect southern states like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully enforced population control measures over the years.

He claimed the move would effectively “penalize” these states while favoring regions with higher population growth, especially in northern India.

CM Stalin expressed his concern that such a shift would amplify the political influence of northern states in Parliament, thereby lessening the voice and impact of southern states.

He warned that this could jeopardize India's federal framework and disrupt the balance of representation among states. While he welcomed the initiative to allocate 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures, Stalin criticized the Centre for linking this reservation to the delimitation process.

He characterized this connection as politically motivated and unnecessary, emphasizing that women’s reservation should be enacted based on the current constituencies without delay.

Moreover, the Chief Minister raised alarms over social justice issues, particularly regarding the inadequate representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

CM Stalin reiterated the necessity of a caste-based census, asserting that neglecting such measures undermines fair representation and effective policymaking.

Additionally, he highlighted that despite India’s economic advancements, the income threshold for defining the “creamy layer” among OBCs has remained stagnant at ₹8 lakh for several years.

He labeled this situation as unjust and advocated for a revision to ensure fairness and inclusivity. Overall, CM Stalin portrayed the proposed delimitation as a move with significant political ramifications, urging a more equitable and inclusive strategy that honors federal principles and social justice.