Chennai , 26 February (H.S.) : In a significant development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the southern states that they will not lose any seats in the upcoming delimitation exercise. Shah made this statement while addressing a public gathering in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The Home Minister accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin of “misleading people” on the issue over which the latter has convened an all-party meeting on March 5.

“The Prime Minister will ensure that not even one seat is lost for any state. I take this opportunity to assure the people of South India from Coimbatore that the Union government will keep their interests in mind and ensure that they are duly represented (in Parliament),” Shah added

The Home Minister's assurance comes amidst concerns raised by southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana, which together account for 129 Lok Sabha seats. These states had expressed fears of losing seats due to the delimitation exercise, which is expected to be based on the 2026 census.

Shah accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on the issue and stated that the Prime Minister will ensure that not even one seat is lost for any state. He also assured the people of South India that the Union government will keep their interests in mind and ensure that they are duly represented in Parliament.

The southern states have been seeking to maintain the present ratio of Parliament and Assembly constituencies, which were fixed based on the 1971 census, until all states follow population control measures rigorously. They have also expressed concerns over the devolution of Central taxes, which has been declining in successive Finance Commissions.

With Shah's assurance, the southern states can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now. However, the delimitation exercise is expected to be a complex and contentious process, and it remains to be seen how the Union government will address the concerns of all states involved.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary