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Chidambaram’s Concerns on Delimitation
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram has voiced strong objections against the central government’s proposal to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats by 50% under the guise of “delimitation.” He claims this strategy is a deceptive attempt to diminish the political influence of southern states.
Impact of the Proposed Delimitation Bill
While addressing reporters in Coimbatore, Chidambaram raised alarms regarding the upcoming special session of parliament and the implications of the Delimitation Bill. He stated, “If delimitation were done directly, it would be clear to everyone that Tamil Nadu’s seats would drop from 39 to 32. By first increasing the total seats by 50%, this appears like an increase, but it’s simply an illusion.”
Political Power Shift in Parliament
According to Chidambaram, although the representation from Tamil Nadu may show an increase to 46 seats, the state’s proportional strength compared to northern states will significantly decrease. “The strength of Uttar Pradesh is set to rise from 80 to nearly 140 seats, while the collective voting power of the five southern states will drop from 24.3% to 20.7%,” he emphasized, warning that this could further silence southern voices in parliament.
Timing of the Parliament Session
Criticizing the scheduling of the special parliamentary session, Chidambaram questioned, “Why hold the session now when 67 MPs from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are occupied with election activities? This appears to be a deliberate strategy to disenfranchise them during voting on the bill.” He suggested postponing the session to April 29, after the elections.
Response to AIADMK Leadership
In reaction to AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s comments, Chidambaram stated, “When EPS was asked if this bill would affect Tamil Nadu, he mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him it wouldn’t. This begs the question: Is he a political leader, or merely a ‘loudspeaker’ for Amit Shah?” His focus on the home minister’s assurances instead of analyzing impacts on Tamil Nadu is perplexing.
Concerns Beyond Delimitation
Chidambaram also highlighted broader concerns about India’s foreign policy, mentioning that previous diplomats have indicated the country lacks genuine allies on the global stage. Additionally, he questioned the government’s delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill, which was passed in 2023 with the backing of the INDIA bloc.
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