Delimitation row: ‘Allay fears of voters, pass resolution protecting Tamil Nadu’s rights’, Stalin urges PM Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allay the fears of people of the state regarding the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise. He demanded the Centre must pass a resolution protecting the state’s rights in Parliament.

 

Stalin, inaugurating various development projects in Nilgiris, gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme in Rameshwaram a miss. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader said he has sought an appointment with the prime minister to discuss concerns regarding delimitation.

 

"We have sought an appointment to present the memorandum on the delimitation. Over the next few minutes, our prime minister is expected to come to Rameswaram (for various events). Since I am taking part in this government function I have conveyed to him about my inability to take part in his meeting and deputed our Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and Raja Kannappan. Through this meeting and through you, I hereby seek the prime minister to allay the fears of delimitation" PTI reported quoting the key opposition leader.

 

The DMK has been spearheading protests against the proposed delimitation exercise to determine Parliament seats. Recently, chief ministers from opposition-governed states and opposition leaders met in Chennai and passed a resolution demanding a freeze on the delimitation exercise for another 25 years. They also demanded population must not be the sole parameter to determine the number of seats.

 

Stalin urged the prime minister to pass a resolution in Parliament. "You (Modi) should also ensure that a resolution in this regard is passed in the Parliament. This (delimitation) not only leads to a reduction of Parliamentary seats, it is our right to ask and at the same time, it is also a cause of worry about our future," the Tamil Nadu chief minister said. "Including Puducherry, there would be 40 Parliamentary seats. But the ruling BJP government is trying to shrink our voices through delimitation," he added.

India