Professor Kodandaram Express Serious Concerns over central Govt's Delimitation Process

Roundtable Seminar on Delimitation in Hyderabad: Kodandaram Warns Southern States of Imminent Loss

Southern states urged not to base seat allocation solely on population

Allegations of fiscal injustice and loss of representation loom large

A roundtable seminar on the contentious issue of delimitation was held in Hyderabad, drawing sharp reactions from regional leaders over the proposed changes to parliamentary constituencies. Notable among those speaking was MLC and Professor Kodandaram, who underscored the potential adverse impact of delimitation on the southern states.

During the seminar, Kodandaram highlighted that the delimitation process, if solely based on population metrics, could lead to a serious loss of parliamentary seats for the southern states. "If the seats in the southern states are reduced, we will face significant losses," he warned, emphasizing that this issue demands urgent and serious discussion.

The concerns raised at the seminar echo allegations made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin, who has accused the central government of targeting the southern states through biased delimitation practices. Stalin recently convened a meeting with the chief ministers of southern states, and many regional leaders have been in discussions with central ministers to voice their apprehensions. They insist that delimitation should not be driven purely by population figures to prevent systemic injustice against the southern region.

Kodandaram further pointed out that the southern states contribute a higher share of tax revenue compared to their northern counterparts. Yet, despite this fiscal responsibility, a disproportionate share of funds is being allocated to the north, leaving the south vulnerable. He described the situation as deceptive, arguing that the current process could undermine the political and economic balance of the region.

As the debate over delimitation intensifies, voices from the southern states continue to call for a revision of the criteria to ensure fairer representation and resource distribution. The seminar in Hyderabad marks another step in the regional leaders' concerted efforts to safeguard the interests of the southern states against what they perceive as an impending threat to their democratic and fiscal rights.