AIADMK, BJP oppose Vijay’s delimitation resolution , demand protection for Tamil Nadu

Chennai, August 12

The AIADMK and BJP on Wednesday opposed the special resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay against constituency delimitation, although both parties insisted that Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation must be protected in any future exercise.

Participating in the Assembly debate, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said delimitation was not objectionable when undertaken for administrative convenience. However, he maintained that Tamil Nadu should not be penalised for successfully controlling population growth.

Palaniswami said the AIADMK had urged the Union government to ensure that the State’s existing representation ratio was not affected. He also referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurance that Tamil Nadu’s representation would not be reduced.

The AIADMK leader argued that protecting the State’s representation ratio could increase its Lok Sabha strength from the present 39 seats to 59. Constituencies with unusually large electorates could be redrawn to improve administration, provided the process did not disadvantage Tamil Nadu, he said.

Accusing the TVK government of acting with political motives, Palaniswami questioned the need for a resolution before the Centre had announced the details of the proposed delimitation exercise. He said the AIADMK opposed the delimitation resolution but supported the proposal concerning women’s reservation.

BJP MLA M. Bhojarajan also opposed the resolution, saying delimitation remained only a proposal and that its final framework was yet to be determined.

He argued that electoral arrangements should evolve according to population and administrative requirements. Referring to the new Parliament building, Bhojarajan said it had been designed to accommodate the country’s future needs.

The BJP legislator said India should be prepared to adopt necessary reforms for future generations while safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s interests. He also reiterated the BJP’s support for greater political representation for women.

Despite agreeing that Tamil Nadu must not lose seats or political influence, Bhojarajan said the BJP could not support the special resolution moved by the Vijay government.