‘Delimitation Blatant Assault On Federalism’: TN CM Stalin Writes To 7 State CMs, Urges To Join Action Committee
In the letter, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin said that with the delay of 2021 Census, the delimitation process could be expedited, leaving states with little time to protect their interests.
In a bid to safeguard the federal structure of India and protect the interests of states facing potential underrepresentation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to various State Chief Ministers and former Chief Ministers, urging them to join a Joint Action Committee (JAC). The JAC aims to address concerns over the impending delimitation exercise by the Union Government, which could disproportionately affect states that have effectively implemented population control measures.
In his letter, Stalin emphasised the urgency of the matter, stating that the delimitation exercise, originally expected after the 2031 Census, could now occur much earlier due to the delay in the 2021 Census. He warned that this acceleration poses a significant threat to the political representation and influence of states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab.
Stalin highlighted that delimitation exercises were conducted in 1952, 1963, and 1973 but were frozen in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment to encourage population control. The freeze was extended until the first census after 2026 by the 84th Constitutional Amendment. However, with the 2021 Census delayed, the delimitation process could be expedited, leaving states with little time to protect their interests.
To address this challenge, Stalin convened an All-Party Meeting on March 5, 2025, in Tamil Nadu, where political parties across the spectrum unanimously resolved to form a JAC. The committee will comprise representatives from southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, as well as eastern states like West Bengal and Odisha, and northern states like Punjab.
Stalin said: "Despite the gravity of this issue, the Union Government has provided neither clarity nor any concrete commitment to address our concerns. Their representatives have vaguely stated that delimitation would follow a "pro-rata" basis, without explaining the base used for such pro-rata calculation as well as raising an empty rhetoric than no State will face a decrease in its seats. When the very foundation of our democracy is at stake, can we accept such vague assurances? When our States' futures hang in the balance, do we not deserve transparent dialogue?"
In his letter, Stalin made two specific requests: Formal consent from state leaders to join the JAC and nomination of a senior representative from each party to serve on the JAC and help coordinate a unified strategy.
Tamil Nadu CM M.K.Stalin writes to various State Chief Ministers and former Chief Ministers regarding delimitation exercise by the Union Government, requesting their formal consent to join a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana… pic.twitter.com/Q5sVxPTCbx
— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2025
Stalin proposed an inaugural meeting of the JAC in Chennai on March 22, 2025, to chart a collective course of action. He stressed that the issue transcends individual state concerns and strikes at the heart of India’s federal principles. Stalin underscored the stakes involved, stating that the delimitation exercise could impact states’ ability to secure resources for development, influence policies on education and healthcare, and ensure their economic priorities are addressed in the national agenda.
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