Twenty-one Members of Parliament (MPs) from Tamil Nadu convened in Chennai on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at a meeting organized by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, where they collectively passed a resolution rejecting the proposed Delimitation Bill. The gathering, which represented a significant portion of the state's parliamentary delegation, voiced strong opposition to the bill, citing concerns over its potential impact on states that have effectively implemented population control measures.

The meeting highlighted a growing concern among several regional parties regarding the redrawing of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituency boundaries. Out of Tamil Nadu's total 57 MPs across both houses of Parliament, 21 attended, signaling a unified front against the legislation from the participating parties. Notably, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) did not send representatives to the discussion, indicating a lack of broader consensus among the state's principal political forces.

Chief Minister Stalin, addressing the attending MPs, emphasized that the current form of the Delimitation Bill would unfairly penalize progressive states in the south that have successfully managed population growth through effective policies. He stated that any delimitation based solely on the latest census data without considering the historical context of population control measures would disrupt the federal structure and lead to a significant reduction in parliamentary representation for these states.

Key concerns raised during the meeting included:

  • Reduced Representation: Southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, fear a substantial decrease in their Lok Sabha seats if delimitation proceeds based on the 2021 census figures, as their populations have stabilized compared to some northern states.
  • Federalism under Threat: Participants argued that the bill undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism by potentially creating a disbalance in parliamentary power, thereby marginalizing states that have adhered to national family planning goals.
  • Economic Impact: A reduction in parliamentary seats could translate into decreased political leverage for these states in national policy-making, potentially affecting resource allocation and development funds.

Parties whose MPs attended the meeting included the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK), Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), and Karuthamazhaga Desiya Makkal Katchi (KDMK). The collective resolution passed called for a re-evaluation of the bill and advocated for an alternative approach that safeguards the interests of all states, irrespective of their population growth rates.

The resolution adopted at the Chennai meet is expected to be conveyed to central government authorities, including the President and the Prime Minister, as well as to parliamentary committees. This move is part of a broader effort by several southern states to forge a united front against the proposed Delimitation Bill, aiming to influence the national discourse and legislative process before the next delimitation exercise is undertaken, currently slated for 2026. The issue is likely to remain a significant point of contention in upcoming parliamentary sessions and inter-state relations.