Tamil Nadu leaders unite against delimitation Bill; TNCC chief calls it 'fraud'

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B. Manickam Tagore on Sunday said there could be no "fair delimitation" and termed it "a fraud". Speaking at an anti-delimitation march in Medavakkam, Chennai, he also criticised some political parties for changing their stance on the issue within a few months.

The delimitation Bill, which seeks to redraw parliamentary constituencies on the basis of population, has drawn opposition from several southern states. Leaders from Tamil Nadu argue that a higher population in northern states would reduce their state's representation in Parliament.

Referring to the Quit India Movement, Mr. Tagore said: "When Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, and Vallabhbhai Patel called for the Quit India Movement on August 8, 1942, two groups did not take part in it: one, the Sangh Parivar, and the other, everyone knows who they are."

He further said those who had stayed away from a recent meeting of Tamil Nadu MPs on the delimitation issue were now "talking about fair delimitation". The DMK, AIADMK, and their allies had boycotted the meeting on Saturday.

"This is a fraud — how can there be a fair and an unfair delimitation when it is a fraud? The Modi government is denying Tamil Nadu its financial share and schemes. We have 39 MPs from Tamil Nadu. In April this year, we defeated the Bill by voting against it. But those who said 'no to delimitation' are now calling for a 'fair delimitation'. What is fair delimitation? They may increase the seats of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh by 50%. But, the 40 seats will become 60, and 80 will become 120. The difference in the number of seats between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be 60 after the delimitation. 'Fair' delimitation is a scam," he said.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarthy said Tamil Nadu's rights and freedom were in danger. "The delimitation Bill will suppress its voice in Parliament. The share of MPs from Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh should remain the same. That's our demand. But the BJP is trying to increase the representation of north Indian states. They are trying to defraud us by showing some numbers… if they increase our seats by 20, they will increase Uttar Pradesh's by 40. We have to oppose this. All parties in Tamil Nadu should oppose the Bill… if they don't, it is a betrayal."

On the Mekedatu dam issue, Mr. Tagore said the Tamil Nadu Congress was clear that the dam should not be constructed. "Who can give clearance? Only Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Stalin, and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar can. Just like how we are fighting for Tamil Nadu's interests, the Chief Minister of Karnataka will fight for Karnataka's interests."

TNCC district president Vijay Sekar said the party's district office-bearers held marches against delimitation across Chennai.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi general secretary D. Ravikumar said any delimitation Bill, including the proposal for a uniform 50% increase in seats for each state, would render parliamentary democracy in India "meaningless". Urging political parties to eschew the traditional view that delimitation would drive a wedge between the northern and southern states, he said, "After delimitation, there could be close to 850 Members of Parliament. In the current Parliament, which has 543 seats, a majority of parliamentarians hardly get heard on people's issues. If the strength is increased to 850 MPs, there would hardly be any meaningful debates."

Mr. Ravikumar added, "It is obvious that the BJP finds a great advantage in bringing in this delimitation at this moment. They could simply pass the Bills and amendments without any debate."