The first-ever Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation commenced on Saturday in Chennai, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin extending a warm welcome to Opposition leaders, including four Chief Ministers, in a strong display of Opposition unity.
In his opening address, the DMK chief expressed skepticism over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that South Indian states would not lose parliamentary representation due to the upcoming delimitation process. He described Shah’s remarks as “ambiguous” and stressed the importance of safeguarding political representation to prevent states from suffering the same fate as Manipur.
Stalin highlighted the ongoing turmoil in Manipur, stating that the region’s suffering was a direct result of inadequate political representation. “Manipur has been burning for two years, and its people’s demands are being ignored because they lack the necessary parliamentary strength to make their voices heard,” he said, linking adequate representation to a state’s ability to advocate for justice.
As the meeting got underway, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai led a black flag protest in Chennai, dismissing the JAC gathering as “mere drama.” He criticized Stalin for not holding similar discussions on critical water-sharing disputes with Karnataka and Kerala, specifically concerning the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar rivers.
The JAC meeting saw the participation of 14 political leaders from five states, including the Chief Ministers of Kerala, Telangana, and Punjab—Pinarayi Vijayan, A. Revanth Reddy, and Bhagwant Mann, respectively. Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, as well as senior representatives from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), were also in attendance.
During his speech, Stalin cautioned that reallocation based on population size would disproportionately affect progressive states, further widening the North-South divide. “At least eight seats will be lost if delimitation proceeds as planned,” he warned, emphasizing that the issue is not merely about numbers but about the very survival of these states.
Ahead of the meeting, Stalin took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), declaring: “Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring Fair Delimitation.” He reiterated his commitment to a just process, welcoming all participating leaders to the meeting.
The meeting, attended by representatives from Kerala, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal, was convened against the backdrop of growing concerns that the delimitation exercise scheduled post-2026 could significantly reduce the political influence of South Indian states. Stalin made it clear that the Opposition was not against delimitation in principle but opposed any unfair methodology that would penalize states for successfully controlling population growth.
Stalin underscored Tamil Nadu’s economic and social progress, arguing that well-governed states should not be penalized for their achievements. “We are not against delimitation, but it must be fair,” he asserted.
He further warned that a reduction in representation would have far-reaching consequences, potentially setting back policies related to youth, gender equality, and social justice. “Every state gathered here has made remarkable progress over the years,” Stalin noted. “But if our representation is reduced, it will weaken our ability to shape policies. Our language, culture, and identity will be at risk. Without political power, we will become outsiders in our land.”
Addressing Amit Shah’s comments, Stalin questioned the credibility of the assurance given by the Union Home Minister, pointing out that his remarks were made at a public rally rather than in Parliament. “His statement was politically ambiguous,” Stalin remarked, implying that the BJP could still push for population-based seat reallocation, ultimately diluting Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary strength.
He accused the BJP of systematically weakening state autonomy and urged Opposition leaders to turn their collective strength into a national movement. “The BJP has consistently centralized power, stripping states of their rights. The decisions we make today must resonate with the people,” he said.
With delimitation emerging as a major political battleground, Stalin made it clear that mere verbal assurances from the BJP would not suffice. Instead, he and his allies are calling for concrete legislative measures to prevent South India’s political marginalization.
In response to the meeting, the Tamil Nadu BJP staged a black flag protest, accusing Stalin of using the JAC as a diversion from more pressing state issues. The protest, led by Annamalai and other BJP leaders, criticized Stalin for failing to organize similar meetings to address the long-standing Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar water disputes.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan termed the JAC meeting a “corruption-hiding exercise” and justified the protest as a means to “safeguard the interests of Tamil Nadu’s people.” Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan dismissed the meeting as a “political gimmick,” alleging that the DMK was using delimitation as a diversionary tactic to deflect public scrutiny from its alleged misgovernance.
“DMK’s fear-mongering and divisive politics will backfire,” Kesavan warned. He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of taking contradictory stands on delimitation, calling it an act of “political opportunism” that deserved condemnation.
The JAC meeting in Chennai marks the beginning of what could be a prolonged political battle over delimitation. With South Indian states voicing strong concerns about potential parliamentary seat reductions, the debate is set to intensify in the coming months.
While Stalin and his allies demanded fair representation and legislative safeguards, the BJP dismissed the meeting as political theater. As delimitation becomes a key electoral issue, both sides are expected to sharpen their rhetoric, making this a defining moment in India’s political landscape.
