Tamil Nadu Delimitation Row: 'State Won't Lose A Single Seat In Lok Sabha', Says Amit Shah

🀅Amid the spiraling row over the expected implementation of Delimitation in Tamil Nadu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday dismissed Chief Minister MK Stalin's claim that the southern state would lose eight Lok Sabha seats if delimitation is carried out based on the population census.

ꦗResponding to the chief minister's concerns over the impact of the process, the union minister asserted that Tamil Nadu would not lose a single parliamentary seat. "No southern state including TN will see a reduction in Parliamentary representation", Shah said, as per PTI.

𝄹Moreover, Shah accused CM Stalin of spreading a misinformation campaign on the delimitation exercise.

♔"Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear in the Lok Sabha that even after delimitation, the seats of none of the states of the south will be decreased," Shah said, addressing the controversy.

Tamil Nadu Delimitation Exercise: What Is The Row All About?

The delimitation exercise, which is expected next year, revolves around redrawing parliamentary constituencies based on population levels. It is anticipated that the exercise could also meddle with the proportion of Lok Sabha representatives from the southern states.

♎In recent times, the delimitation issue has taken center stage owing to a visible conflict between the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led central government as CM Stalin expressed concerns over possibly losing eight parliamentary seats due to the state’s success in implementing a family planning program, which resulted in population control. As a result, the state’s representation in Parliament could be reduced.

CM Stalin's Stance Against Delimitation

In view of the escalating row over delimitation in the southern state, CM Stalin has called for an all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss the implications of the exercise. As per e report by India Todayꩲ, the chief minister described the situation as a "sword hanging over southern states."

"Our representation in Parliament 🍰will be reduced...Tamil Nadu's voice is being stifled. This is a matter of Tamil Nadu's rights. All political parties should speak across party lines," Stalin said, as per reports.

💟"As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I bring to everyone's attention that the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise based on the 2026 Census is extremely dangerous. Southern states like Tamil Nadu have done a great job in controlling population growth. But if that is the reason why our strength in Parliament will decrease, if it can suppress our voice, how can it be justified?" Stalin wrote in a post on X.

✅Urging political unity across party lines, he said, "To protect the future of our motherland, Tamil Nadu, let us unite as one, transcending party differences! Let us overcome the surrounding danger with our unity!"

Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai Reacts

🧸Reacting to Stalin's call for the all-party meeting, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai accused the CM of creating “imaginary fears” regarding delimitation and attempting to shift focus from the contentious three-language policy. 

“When nobody has spoken on this or officially said anything, why is he calling for an all-party meeting?” Annamalai posted on social media, questioning the need for such a meeting. He also hinted that the BJP 𝔍might not attend the all-party meeting, further intensifying the political standoff.

𝔉Besides delimitation, Annamalai earlier claimed that except for "a few paint-dabba carrying DMK cadres," the people of Tamil Nadu had rejected the DMK's stance on the three-language formula in government schools.

💃The three-language policy, which includes the teaching of Hindi in schools, remains a major point of contention between the BJP-led Central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. 

🃏Stalin reaffirmed his strong opposition to the policy, declaring that Tamil Nadu would not accept the imposition of Hindi in schools, and would continue with Tamil and English as the primary languages of instruction.

꧅Annamalai also reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured that any future delimitation exercise would be beneficial for all states, including those in the south.