Representation of southern states will dip post delimitation: Durai Vaiko

Cleared/260 WordsTrichy: MDMK principal secretary and Trichy MP Durai Vaiko on Wednesday said that the Centre's delimitation exercise will reduce the proportional representation of Tamil Nadu and other southern states in Parliament. While the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha may increase from 543 to 816, Durai said that proportional representation of Tamil Nadu, which stands at 7% now, will be reduced to 5%, which will be detrimental in obtaining special schemes and funds for the state's development."Parliament is offering us protection, when the Union govt is attempting cultural and linguistic impositions. But with increased proportional representation for northern states, the Union govt may pass any bills that they want to. This puts us in grave danger, and is against federalism," Durai Vaiko said. He said that reduced representation for southern states will allow the BJP-led Union govt to further target and deceive non-BJP-ruled states. The MDMK MP added that southern states, through effective population control measures over the years, have economically developed and contributed to the nation's growth, but the delimitation exercise will punish states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. "Parties such as AIADMK in the BJP alliance should oppose the delimitation exercise. This exercise could have been discussed after the conduct of the assembly election. The impact of the exercise on TN will be much worse. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has emotionally reflected the sentiments of the state," Durai Vaiko said. He also welcomed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but questioned the necessity to urgently discuss the delimitation bill in Parliament.