Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay introduced a delimitation-related resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday. Through this proposal, he urged the Centre to permanently retain Lok Sabha strength at 543 members. Moreover, Vijay demanded implementation of 33% reservation for women without further delay.
Vijay said women’s reservation represents a constitutional right, not any concession. He argued that linking the Women’s Reservation Bill with delimitation would postpone implementation. Furthermore, Vijay highlighted higher female voter participation compared with men across Tamil Nadu. Therefore, he demanded immediate enforcement of the 33% quota.
The Chief Minister also supported implementing women’s reservation during the next Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2029. His resolution proposed calculating the quota using the current 543 seats in the Lower House.
Additionally, Vijay said the Centre carries responsibility for protecting states from harmful delimitation consequences. He specifically referred to regions that implemented population-control programmes. According to his proposal, those states should not suffer because of the delimitation exercise.
DMK Backs Resolution and Demands Protection for Tamil Nadu’s Representation
Opposition party DMK supported the TVK government’s decision. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin welcomed the resolution opposing delimitation. Moreover, he demanded protection for Tamil Nadu’s 7.18% Lok Sabha representation.
Stalin said authorities should not reduce Tamil Nadu’s MPs under the name of redrawing constituencies. Furthermore, he argued against conducting delimitation during the next 25 years.
The opposition leader also welcomed the proposal for 33% women’s reservation. However, he maintained that delimitation must not negatively affect Tamil Nadu. Stalin described this position as DMK’s firm stand.
He also claimed DMK first explained delimitation’s possible impact to India. Therefore, the party reiterated its opposition to any reduction in Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation.
Meanwhile, the Modi government at the Centre had planned a delimitation bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session. However, continuous opposition disruptions have affected parliamentary proceedings. Consequently, the government currently appears to have postponed that decision.
