Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday led a meeting of state parties – including rivals AIADMK – to discuss ‘Hindi imposition’ and delimitation, topics at the heart of a row between the ruling DMK and the central government.
In the meeting Mr Stalin tabled a resolution urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure delimitation, if carried out now, is based on 1971 population levels and retained for another 30 years to motivate other states to control growth. The resolution also sought a constitutional amendment to ensure present proportional representation to all states if the number of MPs are increased.
Five smaller opposition parties, including the BJP and its local ally, the Tamil Manila Congress (M), did not attend. The BJP and the TMC (M) called the meeting a ploy to divert attention from what it says is a deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam participated.
DMK-Led Resolution On Delimitation
The resolution also sought assurances that any increase in the total number of MPs will be calculated in the same proportion – MPs to states – as laid out based the 1971 census, meaning Tamil Nadu will not be penalised for successfully controlled population between then and now.
