Stalin calls for joint action on Lok Sabha delimitation, opposes population-based seat allocation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has proposed a Joint Action Committee comprising MPs and party representatives from southern states on Lok Sabha seat delimitation. Stalin moved a resolution during an all-party meeting, saying in the event of an increase in the number of seats in Parliament, the 1971 Census should be the basis for it.

He asserted that the 1971 Census should be the basis for the delimitation of the Lok Sabha seats for 30 years from 2026. Stalin said the all-party meeting staunchly opposed population-based delimitation.

Opposition party AIADMK, the Congress and Left parties, actor-politician Vijay’s TVK attended the meeting held in Chennai. The BJP, Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and former union minister GK Vasan’s Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) boycotted the meeting.
The DMK has been opposing the delimitation exercise and Stalin claimed that it will result in Tamil Nadu losing eight Lok Sabha seats from the current 39.
Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay said his party will fight against delimitation as it is an attempt to destroy the political importance of southern states.

“If the Union Government arbitrarily carries forward the Parliament constituencies’ delimitation exercise…it would be seen as an attempt to destroy the political importance of Southern States completely. It cannot be accepted in any way…Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam will stand with all parties to fight against delimitation…We have one good in this bad situation, in this important issue, it would be revealed who is against Tamil Nadu welfare and also knows who stands for Tamil Nadu welfare…” he posted on X.

#SayNoToDelimitation#TVKForTN pic.twitter.com/SjZWvymKX0

— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) March 5, 2025

What is delimitation

Delimitation fixes the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. The Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) seats are also determined likewise. The last Delimitation Commission was set up in 2002 but the last delimitation exercise was completed in 1976. Delimitation has been determined by the formula of allocating seats in the Lok Sabha based on the population of each state as far as possible. Essentially, seats are to be adjusted as per population changes.

The ‘Delimitation Commission’, set up under an act of Parliament, performs this process.