Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has intensified his opposition to the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, launching a political outreach that extends beyond South India to include West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab. In a strongly worded letter, Stalin urged his counterparts in these states to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to devise a unified strategy against what he termed as a "direct assault on federalism."
In his appeal, Stalin made two specific requests. First, he sought formal consent from the governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab to collectively oppose the delimitation process. Second, he asked each state to nominate a senior representative from their ruling party to join the proposed JAC. The Tamil Nadu CM has also invited representatives from major political parties, including CPI(M), BJP, Congress, AAP, TDP, YSRCP, BJD, and Akali Dal, to participate in discussions aimed at forming a coordinated response.
As part of his strategy, Stalin proposed an inaugural meeting of the JAC in Chennai on March 22, signaling the urgency with which he is mobilizing political forces against the Centre’s move. He framed the issue as more than just a political disagreement, arguing that the proposed delimitation unfairly punishes states that have successfully implemented population control measures and ensured good governance. According to him, this is not merely a bureaucratic adjustment but a fundamental question of states’ rights and their ability to secure resources for development, shape crucial policies on education and healthcare, and maintain economic priorities within the national agenda.
On social media, Stalin directly challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s defense of the delimitation plan, particularly questioning the term “pro-rata basis” used by Shah to counter the claim that Tamil Nadu would lose eight seats in Parliament. Dismissing it as “empty rhetoric,” Stalin reaffirmed his stance, accusing the Centre of diminishing the democratic voice of states that have responsibly managed their populations.
Stalin’s outreach is an attempt to build a broad-based alliance against the delimitation exercise, presenting it as a larger battle for states’ rights and the principle of federalism. He made it clear that this is not just a regional concern but a national issue that demands solidarity beyond party lines. By framing the resistance as a fight against "democratic injustice," he aims to rally support from leaders across the political spectrum.
In his call for collective action, Stalin emphasized that this movement is about securing the future of the people, not about political divisions. “Let us stand together not as separate political entities but as protectors of our people’s future,” he urged. His push for a JAC and a unified stance against the Centre’s move indicates that the opposition to delimitation could become a major political flashpoint in the coming months.
