CM Revanth Reddy Slams Centre Over Delimitation, Calls It a ‘Limitation for the South’
Delhi, March 14: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that the Union government was conspiring against South Indian states under the guise of delimitation, calling it a “limitation for the South.”
Speaking to media persons in Delhi, CM Reddy stated that the proposed delimitation process would negatively impact the southern states, which contribute more in taxes and economic growth. He emphasized that South India plays a crucial role in the nation’s development, and the Centre’s move appears to be an attempt to settle political scores.
The Telangana CM confirmed that the Congress party has in principle decided to attend a meeting of political parties convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin in Chennai on March 22. The meeting will focus on discussing the implications of delimitation on the southern states.
Revanth Reddy is among the seven chief ministers invited by CM Stalin for the meeting. He mentioned that he would attend the event after seeking permission from the Congress high command.
‘South Will Not Accept This Limitation’
CM Reddy strongly criticized the BJP-led government, stating, “This is not delimitation. This is a limitation for the South. We will not accept it at any cost.”
He argued that South India has been a major economic contributor to the country, paying higher taxes and fostering more entrepreneurs than many northern states. According to him, the BJP is targeting the region because it has failed to gain electoral strength in South Indian states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
“The BJP has been rejected by the people of South India. This is political vendetta. Now, they are trying to weaken us through delimitation. We will not allow it,” he asserted.
Delimitation and Its Impact
Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies and determining the number of seats each state gets in Parliament. As per Article 82 of the Constitution, the number of Lok Sabha seats must be readjusted based on the latest Census data.
The issue has sparked concerns in the South, where states fear they will lose representation in Parliament due to their lower population growth rates compared to the North. This could lead to a shift in political power towards northern states, reducing the influence of southern states in national policymaking.
With growing opposition to the proposed delimitation, the March 22 meeting in Chennai is expected to bring together key political leaders from South India to strategize their next move.
What’s Next?
The Congress party’s decision to support the meeting signals a possible unified opposition from South Indian leaders against the Centre’s delimitation plans. All eyes are now on the March 22 meeting, which could shape the political discourse around this contentious issue.