Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin has declared that today marks a defining moment in the state’s political history, as he rejected the Centre’s verbal assurance on delimitation and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Delimitation Bill.
“Today is a defining moment in Tamil Nadu’s political history. It is the day we will see the outcome of our relentless resistance against delimitation,” Stalin stated. He acknowledged that in the face of sustained protests and uncompromising opposition, the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister offered a verbal assurance on the floor of Parliament that Tamil Nadu’s representation would not be reduced.
உயிரே போனாலும் தி.மு.க. இந்த அநியாயத்தைத் தடுத்து நிறுத்தும்!#SayNoToNDA #TNWillFightTNWillWin #VoteForDMK #வெல்வோம்_ஒன்றாக pic.twitter.com/rrAEJsu6AF
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) April 17, 2026
“A calculated deception”
However, Stalin rejected the Centre’s assurances outright. “But their words say one thing, their actions reveal another. The Bill they have introduced is nothing but a calculated deception. We reject it outright. It cannot be trusted. It will not be accepted.”
He pointed to the sweeping powers granted to the Delimitation Commission under the Bill, warning, “At any time, in any manner they choose, they can alter the representation of states to suit their political interests. This so-called legislation is a carefully crafted trap, loaded with dangerous intent.”
“Withdraw the Bill in full”
Stalin demanded that the Union Government withdraw the Bill in full. “If they attempt to bulldoze it through Parliament, emboldened by the numbers they have stitched together, and in complete disregard of our opposition, they will face the consequences in Tamil Nadu,” he warned.
A Historical Contrast
Drawing a historical parallel, Stalin noted, “Jawaharlal Nehru assured that Hindi would never be imposed, and he honoured that promise as long as he lived. The present Union regime, however, speaks of protecting state rights even as it systematically dismantles them piece by piece.”
“The Voice of Tamil Nadu”
Stalin made it clear that what Tamil Nadu demands is the same constitutional safeguard that former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee provided by freezing delimitation through constitutional amendment. “The Union BJP Government must listen to the voice of Tamil Nadu,” he concluded.