Chennai, Apr 17:
Chief Minister M K Stalin intensified his attack on the Centre over the proposed delimitation exercise, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a written assurance in Parliament that delimitation would be carried out strictly on the basis of the 1971 population data for the next 25 years.
Addressing an election campaign meeting, Stalin said such a guarantee was essential to protect the interests of states like Tamil Nadu, which he argued had successfully implemented population control measures over the decades.
Stalin appealed that delimitation should not disadvantage states that have managed to stabilise population growth. He stressed that for the next 25 years, the 1971 Census should remain the sole reference point for redrawing constituencies.
He argued that shifting the basis of representation would distort the federal balance and penalise southern states, while rewarding states with higher population growth.
Launching a sharp political attack, Stalin criticised both the BJP and the AIADMK, accusing them of downplaying Tamil Nadu’s concerns. He rejected assurances made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that such remarks could not be relied upon.