Amid growing debate over delimitation, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has made clear that while it backs reserving seats for women, it wants that reservation carved out of the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats rather than through any change to that number. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said on Sunday that any fresh delimitation exercise must not come at the cost of southern states.
Party's position on women's reservation
According to Tiruchi Siva, the DMK has always favoured giving women greater representation in Parliament and state assemblies, but insists that representation be accommodated within the current 543 seats rather than by expanding or shrinking the total. His argument is that any change to the seat count would directly upset the existing political balance between states.
Better population control, yet fear of losing out
Tiruchi Siva voiced concern that states which have performed better on family planning and population control could end up being penalised with fewer seats under any new delimitation formula. He said the central government has so far not placed any clear, transparent roadmap before the public, leaving states in a state of uncertainty.
Demand to freeze seats for the next 25 years
The DMK MP suggested that if delimitation threatens to reduce the political weight of south Indian states, the sensible course would be to keep the current 543 Lok Sabha seats unchanged for the next 25 years. He demanded that the central government spell out both its intent and its policy on delimitation without further delay. Citing the country's federal structure and the interests of every state, he said the government should take a firm stand on this sensitive issue instead of stalling.
Old fears from the south resurface
Tiruchi Siva's remarks revive a debate that has been simmering in southern India for a while, with several leaders repeatedly warning that once delimitation gets underway in the coming years, their states could lose both their voice and their seat count in Parliament.
