Constituency delimitation should not be based on population; Stalin's meet raises warning against central government

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's protest meet against the Lok Sabha constituency delimitation move has come as a strong warning to the central government. The meet has awakened the India Front, which was in turmoil after the Delhi elections. Stalin's image as a strongman in South India has been enhanced.

The Chief Ministers of Kerala, Telangana and Punjab, India allies and non-NDA party leaders attended. Six PCC presidents including K Sudhakaran were present on behalf of the Congress.

Stalin said that the joint fight against the Centre is to protect democracy and federalism. The delimitation of constituencies will adversely affect the southern states. He also said that the delimitation based on population is unfair. Stalin appealed for the INDIA unity to remain together.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the delimitation of constituencies as a sword above the head. He alleged that the BJP's move was done because they saw that it would benefit them in North India, where population control has been disrupted.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that South India will not accept delimitation based on population. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and BRS leader KT Rama Rao also spoke.

BJD President Naveen Patnaik arrived at the meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not come due to inconvenience, but Mamata's message expressing support for Stalin was read out in the meeting. YSR Congress leaders who are not part of either front did not arrive.

CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, Muslim League State General Secretary P.M.A. Salam, Kerala Congress M Chairman Jose K. Mani, RSP leader N.K. Premachandran and others were also present. The next meeting of the joint committee will be held in Hyderabad.

No for 25 years

• The meeting passed a resolution not to carry out delimitation of constituencies for the next 25 years. The Chief Ministers will meet the President with this demand
• The states that have successfully implemented population control should not be punished. The opposition MPs will oppose the delimitation in Parliament together
• A joint committee of MPs has been formed to coordinate further action. The MPs will submit a joint memorandum to the Prime Minister
• The state assemblies will pass a resolution raising this demand. The message against delimitation will be conveyed to the people