Jagan Skips Delimitation Meet, Writes To PM: 'No State Should Face Reduction In LS, RS Representation'

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Jagan Reddy underscored the importance of maintaining fair representation in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, particularly for southern states.

Jagan Reddy pointed out that the population share of southern states has declined due to their effective implementation of national population control initiatives.

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Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the upcoming delimitation exercise does not lead to a reduction in parliamentary seats for any state. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Reddy underscored the importance of maintaining fair representation in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, particularly for southern states.

Earlier, the former CM skipped the JAC delimitation meet headed by CM Stalin being held in Chennai on Saturday. 

Highlighting demographic shifts over the past few decades, Reddy pointed out that the population share of southern states has declined due to their effective implementation of national population control initiatives. He argued that penalising these states by cutting their representation in Parliament would be unfair.

"The share of the Southern States in the Country's population has reduced over the 40-year period between 1971 and 2011. We believe that the share has reduced even further over the last 15-year period. This reduction in share has resulted from the sincerity of the Southern States in implementation of the population control programme, which was a National priority."

Call For Constitutional Amendment

Expressing concerns about the social and political ramifications of the delimitation process, Reddy called for constitutional safeguards to prevent any state from losing its representation. He emphasised the need for a proportional increase in parliamentary seats rather than a redistribution that could disadvantage certain regions.

"If it is imperative that ratio be maintained as warranted by the Constitutional provision, then it would come in the way of fulfilment of the Hon'ble Union Home Minister's assurance. I therefore emphasize the need to amend the Constitution to give effect to such proportionate increase in seats for each State," Reddy stated.