South will not lose Lok Sabha seats on delimitation, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking at the inauguration of the new building of BJP district office in Coimbatore on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
| Photo Credit: M. Periasamy

Southern States will not be affected by the delimitation exercise, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that not a single Lok Sabha seat is going to be reduced on a pro rata basis, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday, promising that the southern States would get their rightful share of any increase in seats.

Mr. Shah was attempting to dismiss the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who recently warned that the State could lose eight parliamentary seats due to delimitation if it is based on population changes recorded in the Census. Mr. Stalin has called for an all-party meeting on March 5, claiming that the State’s successful implementation of family planning policies has now placed it at a disadvantage in terms of electoral representation.

Speaking at the inauguration of new buildings for BJP offices in Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, and Tiruvannamalai districts, Mr. Shah reiterated the assurance given by Mr. Modi in Parliament that the southern States would not lose a single seat to delimitation.

‘Lack of clarity’

However, the DMK said the Home Minister’s assurance was “confusing”.

DMK MP A. Raja told reporters at DMK headquarters in Chennai that the key question had not been answered. “There is no clear answer to the question of whether the pro-rata basis will be on the basis of the existing number of constituencies or the population,” he pointed out.

He noted Mr. Stalin’s stance that delimitation based on population is not acceptable. “We are not just against the reduction of seats. It is an injustice even if they retain our existing seats and increase seats for north Indian States on the basis of population. Pro-rata basis should be based on the 1971 census and the existing number of MPs,” Mr. Raja said. “Even if you follow the pro-rata basis, it will reduce the numbers. If you follow the 1971 formula and increase the seats in other States on the basis of the existing constituencies, our seats should also be increased,” he said.

Tamil Nadu should not be punished for achieving the Union government’s policy of population control, Mr. Raja emphasised. “Is it not a punishment if the representation of a State which had progressed through welfare schemes and controlled population is reduced. The population of Tamil Nadu has come down. If population is followed for delimitation exercise, it will strangle the voice of the State,” he said.

‘Diverting public’s attention’

Speaking at the Coimbatore event, Mr. Shah alleged that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu was the worst in the country. Women are not safe in universities, he said, alleging that the drug mafia “had the blessings of the government” and illegal mining was rampant in the State. “The DMK leaders have a Master’s degree in corruption,” he alleged.

The Home Minister claimed that the DMK has selectively included corrupt individuals in its membership drive, with many of its leaders involved in various scams. The people of Tamil Nadu are frustrated with all of this, which is why the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and his son are raising other issues to divert the public’s attention, he said.

‘NDA will win T.N. in 2026’

During the 10 years that the DMK was part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, Tamil Nadu had received ₹1,52,901 crore through the devolution of funds and grant-in-aid, Mr. Shah said. In the first decade of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, on the other hand, the State got ₹5,08,337 crore, he noted. It also got ₹1,43,000 crore for infrastructure works.

The year 2024 was historically important for the BJP as Mr. Modi took charge as the Prime Minister for the third term, the party came to power in Odisha with a full majority, and there were NDA governments formed in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra, Mr. Shah said, adding that the year 2025 started with the BJP winning the Delhi Assembly election. “In 2026, the NDA will come to power in Tamil Nadu. Time has come to end the ‘anti-national’ and ‘anti-people’ rule of the DMK in the State,” he said.