Stalin Reaches Out to Siddaramaiah, Proposes Meeting on March 22 to Contest Delimitation

Bengaluru, March 12 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has addressed a letter to his Karnataka counterpart, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, requesting his collaboration in opposing the delimitation process.

The letter was made public by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

In his correspondence, Stalin expressed two specific appeals to CM Siddaramaiah.

"Your formal agreement to join a Joint Action Committee (JAC) that includes representatives from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka in the South, extending to West Bengal and Odisha in the North," he mentioned.

Additionally, CM Stalin has requested the nomination of a senior Congress representative to participate in the JAC and assist in coordinating a cohesive strategy.

He further stated, "As a preliminary step towards collective action, I propose an inaugural meeting in Chennai on March 22, to outline our collaborative path ahead. This moment calls for leadership and unity, transcending political divisions to advocate for our shared interests."

"What is at risk is not merely an abstract principle; it concerns our state's capacity to obtain rightful resources for development, to influence pivotal policies on education and healthcare, and to ensure that our economic priorities receive appropriate focus in the national agenda. Let us unite not as disparate political factions but as guardians of our citizens' future," he added.

"I look forward to your reply and hope to see you in Chennai on March 22," CM Stalin emphasized.

In the opening of his letter, Stalin remarked, "The core of India's democracy lies in its federal structure. Today, I write with urgency as this balance faces a significant threat that could permanently lessen the influence of states like ours in shaping our nation's future."

"With the postponement of the 2021 Census, the delimitation process—initially expected post the 2031 Census—might now occur much sooner than expected. This acceleration leaves us with scant time to safeguard our interests. The issue is no longer if delimitation will occur, but when, and whether it will recognize the contributions of states that have advanced our national objectives," he noted.

"After 2026, the scenario could shift drastically if the process is conducted according to the next census population. States that managed their populations and achieved superior governance indicators may face unjust consequences—decreased representation in the very forums where national policies are shaped," he explained.

"Once executed, this democratic imbalance could endure for decades, leaving our states with reduced capacity to advocate for our people's interests, secure rightful resources, and influence critical national decisions. For the record, we do not oppose delimitation itself; our opposition lies in its misuse against states that have fulfilled their national responsibilities, thereby punishing progress," Stalin stated.

India has conducted delimitation exercises in 1952, 1963, and 1973.

However, in 1976, the process was halted through the 42nd Amendment until after the first Census post 2000, to promote population control.

As population disparities continued, the 84th Constitutional Amendment further extended the freeze until the first Census post 2026, Stalin added.

The mathematics of delimitation is straightforward yet alarming.

Reports indicate that the delimitation exercise is being evaluated based on population, with two potential approaches.

In the first scenario, the current 553 seats could be redistributed among the states, and in the second, the total number of seats could exceed 800.

In both models, states that have effectively implemented population control measures stand to face significant losses if the exercise is based on post-2026 population figures.

"We should not be penalized for successfully managing population growth and supporting national development objectives," CM Stalin asserted.