TN CM MK Stalin Takes Sarcastic Dig at Centre’s Delimitation Plans

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently took a sharp dig at the Centre’s proposed delimitation plans, making a sarcastic remark about family planning.

He suggested that newlywed couples should start having children immediately to secure Tamil Nadu’s representation when the delimitation exercise is carried out.

Stalin’s Remarks on Family Planning and Delimitation

Speaking at the wedding of a DMK district secretary in Nagapattinam, Stalin humorously noted a shift in his stance on family planning.

“I would earlier ask newlyweds to take their time before planning a family, but not anymore,” NDTV quoted him as saying.

He elaborated that due to the Centre’s plans for delimitation, which could reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament, couples should now have children without delay and give them Tamil names.

Concerns Over Delimitation

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has consistently opposed the Centre’s plans to redraw constituency boundaries based on demographic changes.

Stalin fears that Tamil Nadu, despite its significant contributions to GDP and success in controlling population growth, may lose seats in Parliament due to the delimitation process set for 2026.

Stalin criticized the delimitation policy, highlighting that states with lower population growth may end up with fewer parliamentary seats.

He stressed that this move could weaken the voice of Tamil Nadu and other southern states in the national political landscape.

BJP’s Response to Stalin’s Remarks

BJP spokesperson CR Keshavan dismissed Stalin’s comments, calling them a “desperate and dishonest diversionary drama.”

Keshavan questioned whether the DMK had the courage to challenge Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement on population rights, which he claimed contradicted Stalin’s stance.

He further accused the DMK of using the delimitation issue as a distraction from governance failures.

Keshavan also referenced Rahul Gandhi’s call for “Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq” (rights in proportion to population), urging the DMK to clarify its position on the matter.

Opposition to NEP and Hindi Imposition

Apart from delimitation, Stalin also criticized the Centre’s push for the National Education Policy (NEP), stating that it imposed Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.

He called on Tamil Nadu’s BJP leaders to participate in the upcoming all-party meeting instead of boycotting it.

All-Party Meeting on Delimitation

Stalin announced that an all-party meeting would be held on March 5 to discuss the impact of delimitation.

He emphasized the need for unity, urging political parties to prioritize Tamil Nadu’s welfare over political differences. “They are trying to implement delimitation that will reduce Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats. This is not just a DMK issue but a problem for the entire state,” he said.

The Chief Minister revealed that 40 political parties registered with the Election Commission had been invited to the meeting.

Most agreed to participate, but some had declined. He reiterated his call for collective action, warning that Tamil Nadu’s future was at stake.

Stalin’s Stand on Tamil Nadu’s Political Representation

Stalin strongly argued that Tamil Nadu’s success in family planning had now put the state at a disadvantage.

“If delimitation is implemented based on the population census, Tamil Nadu will lose eight MPs. This will lead to reduced representation in Parliament,” he warned.

At an earlier Cabinet meeting on February 25, Stalin voiced concerns over Tamil Nadu losing its parliamentary strength.

He urged citizens to take note of the potential impact, emphasizing that more MPs would give Tamil Nadu a stronger voice in national affairs.

Udhayanidhi Stalin on Delimitation and NEP

Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister and son of CM Stalin, reiterated the DMK’s opposition to delimitation and Hindi imposition.

He accused the Centre of subtly enforcing Hindi through the New Education Policy. “Tamil Nadu will never accept NEP or Hindi imposition,” he declared.

He also took a swipe at AIADMK, stating that the DMK would not be intimidated by the Central Government’s tactics. “The current Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is MK Stalin, not Edappadi Palaniswami,” he asserted.

Amit Shah’s Reassurance on Delimitation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, dismissed Stalin’s concerns, stating that no southern state would lose parliamentary seats due to delimitation.

Addressing party workers in Coimbatore, Shah reassured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it clear in Parliament that delimitation would not lead to a reduction in representation for the southern states.