Dakshin Dialogues 2023: Can’t have political marginalisation of South: MV Rajeev Gowda

Karnataka Planning Board Vice-Chairman Prof MV Rajeev Gowda said that there could not be a “political marginalisation” of the South with the delimitation exercise.

He said that South Indian states had behaved better and performed better — especially on family planning. “And we should not be penalised as a result of that,” he said.

He added that southern states understand that they are part of this federal equation. “We need to share with others, etc. So, [we are] sharing resources, contributing more taxes. All of those are not anything that we have a real issue with. If our compatriots are in need, no problem; we can do some more than because we’ve been doing well,” he said.

On 7 October, South First held the second edition of Dakshin Dialogues 2023. This year warranted a discussion on delimitation and the concerns of the South.

The panellists included VC of the Karnataka Planning Board MV Rajeev Gowda, Justice (Retd) Jasti Chelameswar, BJP National Executive member Khushbu Sundar, and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. The session was moderated by the author of South vs North Nilankantan RS.