India
oi-Swastika Sruti
The DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) has listed down three key conditions as the Centre steps up efforts to secure support for the proposed Delimitation Bill.
The DMK requires the Delimitation Bill to extend the parliamentary seat freeze beyond 2027 by 25 years and increase Lok Sabha seats by 50% for all states, citing a verbal assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The party said that it will support the Bill only if the existing freeze on the parliamentary seat redistribution is extended. Currently, the freeze based on the constitutional provisions linked to the 1971 Census is scheduled to end after the 2027 Census.
The party wants the Centre to extend this freeze by another 25 years, arguing that states which have successfully implemented population control measures should not be disadvantaged in parliamentary representation.
Calls for 50% Increase in Lok Sabha Seats
Apart from extending the freeze, the DMK has sought a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats for all states.
The party said this proposal was verbally assured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah when the legislative package on delimitation was discussed in Parliament earlier this year.
According to the DMK, increasing seats equally across all states would help maintain a fair balance in representation while accommodating population growth.
Centre Looking for Political Consensus
The Centre is reportedly working to build political support for the Constitutional Amendment Bill, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
With delimitation remaining a politically sensitive issue, especially for southern states, the government’s ability to secure backing from regional parties such as the DMK is expected to play a crucial role.
Delimitation refers to the redrawing of parliamentary and Assembly constituencies based on the latest population figures.
Several southern states have expressed concerns that a fresh delimitation exercise based on future Census data could reduce their share of Lok Sabha seats because they have recorded slower population growth compared to some northern states.
