Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday sharply escalated his attack on the Centre, warning of massive statewide protests if the proposed delimitation exercise moves ahead.
In a video message on X, the DMK chief invoked the party’s historic anti-Hindi agitations of the 1950s and 1960s, signalling a similar resistance if Tamil Nadu’s political interests are affected.
“Do not assume that you can quietly carry out delimitation in Delhi since this is an election period and our attention is elsewhere. Don’t even entertain that thought,” Stalin said.
He added that the state would “come to a standstill” if the Union government introduces a Bill in the April 16-18 special Parliament session to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850.
What Is Delimitation – And Why It’s Contentious
is the process of redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on population changes.
The concern among southern states like Tamil Nadu is that a fresh exercise could increase seats in northern states with higher population growth, potentially reducing the South’s political influence in Parliament.
Stalin alleged that the timing of the special session – during ongoing elections – and the lack of clarity around the proposal point to an attempt to “bulldoze” a constitutional amendment.
“It is being forcibly convened in the midst of elections in Tamil Nadu and Bengal,” he said.
“No explanation has been provided so far regarding the proposed Constitutional amendment. When such secrecy surrounds this process, it only strengthens the suspicion that a grave danger lies beneath. The people of the southern states are gripped with deep concern,” he added.
‘You Will Witness a Tamil Nadu You Haven’t Seen Before’
The DMK president warned that any move seen as harming Tamil Nadu or increasing the political weight of northern states would trigger an unprecedented backlash.
“You will witness a Tamil Nadu that you have not seen before. India will once again witness the DMK of the 1950s and 1960s.”
“If anything is done that harms Tamil Nadu, or that disproportionately enhances the political power of northern states, we in Tamil Nadu will not remain silent. Tamil Nadu will come to a standstill. Every family will take to the streets. Under my leadership, we will organise massive agitations,” he warned.
Despite election commitments, Stalin said DMK MPs would attend the special session.
“Even amidst the relentless pace of election campaigning, this duty important cannot be set aside,” Stalin said.
Call for Southern Unity
The issue has also drawn support from other southern leaders. Revanth Reddy urged a united response, writing to Stalin: “We have to unite against this onslaught on political rights and protect our voice in Delhi. Together let us march.”
He also recalled last year’s Chennai meeting of southern leaders, which focused on protecting regional interests.
With the Centre yet to spell out details of the proposed exercise, delimitation has quickly emerged as a major political flashpoint – reviving old fault lines between North and South and setting the stage for a potential confrontation.