Delimitation JAC Meeting: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hosted the first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Chennai. Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), and Bhagwant Singh Mann (Punjab) attended the meeting. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar represented his state. Political leaders Balwinder Singh Bhunder of the Shiromani Akali Dal and P.M.A. Salam of the Indian Union Muslim League also participated.
Stalin described the meeting as a “defining moment.” He emphasized that reducing Tamil Nadu’s representation in the Lok Sabha would undermine India’s federal structure. Earlier this month, Stalin chaired an all-party meeting, where a resolution demanded that Tamil Nadu’s existing 7.18% seat share must not be reduced. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assure Parliament that the 1971 population would remain the basis for delimitation until 2056.
Commitment to Federalism
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister declared that March 22 would be “etched in history.” In a post on X, he stated that the meeting symbolized unity among states contributing to national development. “Today will be remembered as the day states came together to safeguard India’s federal structure by ensuring fair delimitation,” Stalin wrote.
The Joint Action Committee aims to consolidate demands for fair representation. Leaders stressed the need for delimitation to respect the contributions of southern states while ensuring equity in representation.
BJP Criticism and Protests
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched sharp attacks on Stalin and the JAC meeting. BJP leaders staged black flag protests, accusing Stalin of neglecting other pressing issues like the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar water-sharing disputes.
Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP leader, dismissed the meeting as a “corruption-hiding event.” Meanwhile, BJP’s Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai criticized Stalin’s efforts as a “delusional drama.” On social media, he questioned the focus on delimitation over other state challenges.
Understanding the Delimitation Debate
Delimitation is the process of redrawing constituency boundaries based on population. It determines the number of seats each state holds in legislative bodies. Tamil Nadu’s concern stems from the potential loss of Lok Sabha representation due to slower population growth in southern states compared to northern ones.
Stalin has argued that basing delimitation on the 2011 population would penalize states like Tamil Nadu for successful population control efforts. The DMK sees this as a threat to federalism, as it could shift political power to northern states.
Call for Fair Representation
The JAC meeting highlighted unity among states advocating fair delimitation. Leaders from Kerala, Telangana, and Punjab supported Tamil Nadu’s stance. The gathering underscored the need to protect the federal structure and ensure equitable representation for all regions.
While the BJP dismissed the meeting as political posturing, the JAC has set the stage for a broader discussion on delimitation’s implications. Tamil Nadu and other states aim to push for policies that recognize their developmental achievements while maintaining national cohesion. Get the latest market insights, latest news, and political updates — visit News Trendzs today!
